There's HOPE for me yet...

You've heard it said, usually sarcastically...but today I found the true meaning in MY heart of the overused phrase..."There's hope for you yet."  Because there truly is hope for me.

Today, after a very trying morning with an uncooperative 4 year old, I took the girls to a small water part in Bedford, Tx. and met a lady there and her two beautiful children, whom I will NEVER forget.

I spent only about 5 minutes speaking to this unforgettable lady, but learned so much about hope, trials and triumph.  Her name is Tammy and she is 45 years old.  Now let me tell you why Tammy had such a huge impact on the rest of my life.

Alley and I were playing in the water parks little ground sprinkler area (I have no idea what else to call it...lol) and Tammy came and sad down at the edge of the fountains and laid her beautiful 6 month old baby girl down so that she was laying in the water and being gently splashed, which she seemed to love.  If you know me at all, you know I can not pass up saying hello to a baby...so I leaned over and spoke to the infant, who in turn grinned from ear to ear.  You know the smile! The one where their eyes light up and although you know they won't remember you tomorrow, you feel like, for that instant you made a positive difference in a little ones world.  I then, of course, turned to Tammy to tell her how adorable her little girl was and she simply said, "Thank you.  She is our little miracle baby."  Well...you know I couldn't pass by that and I had to ask what she meant.  I think ALL babies are little miracles, but generally they are not specifically referred to as miracles, unless there were rough times before the miracle moment.  Tammy explained, very simply, that she had lost 8 children, including the twin of her 8 year old that was running around the water park (whom I met briefly).  'How sad and tragic,' I thought.  How could anyone endure losing EIGHT children?  I can't even imagine how hard that would be...but WOW, just WOW.  I told Tammy that she gave me hope, because we have had so much trouble getting pregnant.  I didn't go into details, and neither did she, but she did explain...after learning of our hardships...that she never gave up hope.  They tried all sorts of ways of having children and had many trials and tests, but they did not give up.  At 45 years old she was able to give birth to a beautiful baby girl, after having lost so many, and although she didn't say it out loud, I could tell that she honestly felt blessed.  (I'm not sure if I had gone through all of that, if I would feel so happy. In fact, I'm pretty sure I would have given up after losing 2 or more children and either adopted or just conceited that I would not have any more children.)

Such a short conversation with someone who has changed me for the better.  Not only did this 'meeting' inspire me to never give up my dreams of being a mother, it also inspired me to not be afraid to be an inspiration, even to someone you only speak to for a few minutes and may never see again.  I know nothing more about this lady and her family, but as I said...I will NEVER forget her.

Thank you, Tammy!  You will probably never read this, but you have given me hope and been a positive impact on my future and for that I have a great appreciation and love for you, your adorable 8 year old son and that gorgeous baby girl, whom I was honored to meet.  I will never forget your faces and will keep moving forward in my journey to become a mommy.