The last few months have taught me that life is an amazing
thing.
As most of you know, my sister gave birth last month to two
beautiful, identical baby girls. Depending on how well you know me, you may
know that identical twins have always disturbed me. Not only is it alarming
that they look exactly the same, but there are always those strange ones that
insist on living identical lives: the way they dress, act, and live…all done in
unison. There were these girls in college that we called “The Frat Row Bus
Twin” that were always alike down to their hair scrunchie (Note: I did not go
to college in the 80’s, which made the hair scrunchie weird enough on its own).
And they didn’t even talk to each other. They just stood there, in silence,
waiting for the bus, and matching.
When Pam told me she was pregnant with twins, she paused and
asked, “Are you going to be ok with this?” genuinely concerned that I would not
love my nieces. Of course I answered, “Yes!” but quickly followed up by saying
that she cannot dress them alike. My gorgeous nieces (Alyssa and Brianna) came
into this world on 12/5/13 and were both just over 4 pounds. I had never held
anything so tiny…except the 3lb dumbbells I lift on occasion. I’m kinda a big
deal around the gym – NBD.
Since the girls were so tiny, they spent two weeks in the
NICU and I got to watch my sister become a mother, spending 15-hour days in the
hospital supporting them. I have seen the change to motherhood before with Kim,
but it is still unbelievable to me how quickly parents can attach to their
children. How they instantly become their whole life.
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| Look how tiny they are!! |
Within weeks, I was able to see six of my friends go through
the same thing, bringing three new babies into the world – enter Desmond,
Nathan and Brody (last names omitted for their protection). These boys would
not only be future husbands to the Armstrong babies (obvi) but also would bring
their parents more joy than they could imagine.
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| Me and little Brody - my future nephew-in-law |
Recently, we have needed that joy as myself and those close
to me have gone through some pretty terrible losses. Death is a strange thing. There
are times that you can see it coming for months, and sometimes it happens
faster than a sunset. Whether a parent, a grandparent, a pet or a friend, it
brings on heartbreak, confusion and questions that rarely have answers.
Losing my aunt this week was absolutely heartbreaking, but seeing
the strength of her family through it all was extraordinary. Somehow, they
found faith in the circle of life that came in the birth of little Brody, and
it magnified the love they are able to pass onto him and each other. We are able
to remember my Aunt Char with a smile, knowing what an unbelievable life she
had lived. Her legacy lives on with the following advice that will surely be
passed onto the beautiful new babies in our lives:
Love your friends and family, find a job you love, treat
yourself and vacation often, don’t sweat the small stuff, and always keep
smiling and laughing.
Love to you all.
