mourn with those that mourn

the other day, i went to the women's center at cottonwood. as i stood waiting for the elevator doors to close, a man in his twenties followed carefully wheeling his pregnant wife in behind me. the elevator was too small to turn her around, so we were facing one another. they both seemed to be studying the floor. i noticed the mothers hands carefully clasped cradling her bulging belly. and then i couldn't help but notice her tears. i realized they were tears of sadness, worry and pain. i found myself staring at her. i instantly remembered being pregnant with my sweet little brooke. when i couldn't make eye contact with the mother, i looked up at her husband. he was in return staring at me. it was then i realized i too had tears streaming down my face. i offered a weak smile as if to say...i don't know who you are, what you are going through, where you will end up, or why this is happening, but that i am sorry.

and then the doors opened. he bit his lip as he carefully backed the wheelchair holding at least two of the most precious things in his life out of the elevator. he looked back as the doors were closing and gave me a nod and a smile.

all of us have good days and bad days. some bad days are worse than others. but i remember clasping my bulging belly with tears streaming down my face at the most inopportune times. always surrounded by so many people, yet feeling so alone. it was important to me to acknowledge the unresolved emotion in this mother to be because at the end of the day, we all just need to be noticed.

i am so grateful for my experiences. i am always learning and growing. today mourn with those that mourn. whether its for 30 seconds in an elevator or 30 minutes on the phone. whether it's with a friend, a family member or maybe most important, a stranger. it will change your life, but most important, it will change theirs, trust me, i have been there.