a great example of a mother

i am pretty behind on a lot of things.
like texting, getting on twitter, the newest phones and great blogs that are worth taking the time to sit in front of the computer screen with a jar of peanut butter and a spoon, hair in a messy bun, knees bent in indian pose while diving into their worlds.

i came home one night a few months ago around 12ish and oprah was on the television with my father fast asleep.  i went to turn it off and wake him up, but started watching as i heard the word prayer.

it was this couple mr. and mrs. nielson.  they had been in a terrible small plane crash a year or so ago.  i became glued as i listened to the story and was moved by the amazing spirit this girl had.  i guess on the world wide web she is known as nie nie and is known to be absolutely incredible.  she was as i watched how she spoke of her husband and her beautiful children.  she motivates millions of moms around the world to stay positive despite hardships.

her skin is completely burnt.  it takes her two hours to get ready every morning and then she wakes her children up, gets them ready for the day.  i couldn't hold back tears as i watched her struggle just to open up the carrots bag... that's when i lost it.  she wears gloves to keep the skin from slipping off her bones.  she can't even lift her children out of the bathtub.  maybe that is where i lost it.  lifting jack out of the bathtub in a warm towel and holding him in my arms; despite his hefty forty-pound-weight, is still my favorite thing to do.
she doesn't seem to complain much; if at all.

on the show, a woman came on talking in a monotone voice about the mundane tasks a mother does everyday.  like playing with playdough or leggos, or coloring, or park trips.  i am sure so many moms can find this hard to do everyday. talking to kids that can't communicate how you can, doing things you wouldn't choose to do or whatever... she said that's why there are book clubs and friends lunches and husbands to relieve them at night.  i slightly remember how that was boring sometimes but my time being married with jack was only seven months long.  anyway, this mother came over to "nie nie's" home to see how she manages.  nie nie was so positive, so loving, so excited about life, so happy to be with her children.  the mother on the show couldn't contain her emotions and ended up grateful for her experience in her home.  i had tears dripping off my chin by the end of the show; grateful for staying up watching oprah.   somehow i forgot to look her up right after.

like many things, you may have already read this blog and know her story.  if not, i highly recommend it.  i can only imagine how hard each day must be.  my natural response to all of that would be to want to give up while in the hospital in so much pain.  knowing your husband got 30% burnt and and yourself over 75% is so devastating.  it makes me shiver thinking of all the endless pain she endures daily... all the climate changes, if anyone touches her, the doctor visits...  to get up out of bed everyday knowing everything you do will bring you pain... these are all thoughts i am assuming i would have while laying in the hospital bed post-accident.  it seems like giving up would be easiest on you and everyone else.  at least that is what i can imagine.

then the flipside of it all, is that she is full of faith, love and devotion.  she knows her job as a wife and mother and is aware of all of those tragedies but decided to carryon.  enough of my careless rambling... this video is worth the watch...




this felt really good watching.
reeeeally good.

totally made my trials of having my first son pass away, two brain surgeries, divorce, single mom-ness and other things seem like a walk through the park.

when she says something about how she had to bring home herself... her new self, i felt like i could relate to that.  you have to readjust to this new life you are given after a huge change.  she is grateful to be a mother.  she views her role more divine.  that stuck out to me.  she said it's a privilege.  i too, feel the same way.  after looking at the close possibility of death a few times, having the chance to be a mother and living each day in this role has been a daily blessing.  it makes the purpose of living meaningful not just for yourself but for a little person that has been given to your family to care for and love.

when people really get to know me, they feel happy to know they haven't been through as much as i have and are grateful for what they have.

this is how i feel after learning about her.  grateful i don't have to endure her daily struggles yet, makes my heart yearn to help her as well as learn from what she has been taught from these hurdles.  she is so strong and such an example to me of what a great mother should be.  truly inspired me.  i am in awe of her and would be honored to meet her.  she is a great great person.