I’m a bit behind.
So I’ll play catch up.
There is this group of women who come together monthly to share stories and inspire one another.
BUILD. INSPIRE. GIVE.
aka B.I.G.
Martha Uy opened up the program with a short sharing about her love notes from her husband that struck a chord with many of us.
This group of ladies come together as B.I.G. under the guidance of 10 mindful mommas from four different generations under the guidance of Martha Uy.
Mommas constantly GIVE of themselves every day. They GIVE to their husbands. They GIVE to their children. They GIVE to their children. I know many mommas that GIVE even more than that to others.
Tita Menchu Henson shared her story about adoption at a time when it was frowned upon.
Sometimes, we need to recharge, and remember what this craziness is all for. This is usually when we look to one another for inspiration, or help, or guidance. It’s a collective. B.I.G. is based on the premise that we are all connected and that we can learn from each other. It’s brilliant actually.
I met Martha Uy in her home when Patty Olbes invited me to be one of the speakers for their February gathering. Patty had contacted me through my friend, Tina Callejo, because she suggested that I speak for their February gathering. February marks the month of love, and B.I.G. plans their talks and invites their speakers based on a monthly theme.
The organizing committee of B.I.G. aims to provide a venue for women of all ages to share their stories of triumph through adversity. These stories are shared in the hopes that through the speakers’ anecdotes and inspirational messages other women might find it a little easier to go about their days, knowing that there is a forum like this…made possible by women, and for women.
As Martha explained when we first met, “Think TedX for WOMEN.”
Does it get any better than that?
Thank you Maricar for inviting me to such an inspirational gathering of women.
Truth is, my friend, Maricar Xerex-Burgos, had been inviting me to these intimate gatherings since their inception in December. As luck would have it, I wouldn’t be able to go to each of the two events before February because of work. Each time I missed the event, I promised myself I would make it to the next one if my schedule from work slowed down.
It was nice to see familiar faces in the audience. Thank you girls for listening to my heart, and for your kinds words after I finished my sharing.
Through the many mommy groups that I am involved in, I know that if mommas don’t carve out time for ourselves, we can be left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and drained. Events and gatherings like B.I.G., talks with Coach Pia, and investing in a #MomManifesto are ways for us to find meaning through the hardship, and even the mundane routines that we endure in our everyday lives.
I based my talk on a previous blog post I wrote on the eve of Gellibean’s third birthday. In that post, I shared the many gifts that Gellibean has given me as her momma. Parenting a child with special needs is not easy by any means, but it has truly been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.
For me, this speaking engagement was a welcome opportunity to meet other women and educate them about Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, and for me to share the love I have in my heart not only for Gellibean but for my husband, and my three big kids. After all, the theme of the month was LOVE.
We all have women we turn to when we would like support and guidance. I’m lucky to have these two women in my life.
Thank you to the ladies of B.I.G. for putting together these monthly events!
I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Thanks Lou for being my photographer for the day!
To find out more about B.I.G. check out their Facebook Group.
To find out how you can volunteer or donate to Best Buddies click here.
To join any of the activities that DSAPI has planned for Down Syndrome Consciousness Month visit the Facebook Group.
