In preparation for times when I would need to take care of my children on a more full-time basis (like when they were newborns or now like during the summer or a road trip), I have pondered the need to condition myself for this thing called mothering. I think I began preparing when I was younger, caring first for baby dolls, then for siblings or neighbor children. I would care for these children for a few hours at a time…and then, several years later, became a full-time mommy.

Caring for our first child was shocking, to say the least. Though he was called a “good baby” (what does that mean, anyway? Aren’t all babies “good?”), I still had many a sleepless night, many a tearful eye, many a swollen place on my body and many a tender place in my heart.

By the time #3 came, I was on my own relatively soon–caring for three little people full-time. I handled the joys and rigors of motherhood fairly well.

Fairly well, in fact, until I was expecting twins. Whoa. I was terrified. How could I be prepared to care for two babies at once? I tried to cultivate calm in my heart and fill my spiritual reservoir for the busy moments to come. I began planning quick meals and snacks to have the caloric intake necessary to nurse twins. And I prayed. Boy, did I pray…!

With the help of family, friends, & neighbors, I was able to find moments of joy even through such a busy time. When I got out of “survival mode,” I noticed a need surfacing to recharge, to center myself so I could adequately care for my children. I made time for meditation & peaceful moments.

Over time, the practice of mothering has helped me condition myself into a better mother. I enjoy the work I do…and am excited to think that the work I do is preparing me for even more fun…as a grandmother!!!!

After checking her oxygen levels & giving her two nebulizer treatments, the doctor put our little girl on oxygen & called an ambulence to transport her to the hospital.

She was admitted immediately & diagnosed with a collapsed lung, pneumonia, and RSV. She didn’t fight the doctor or nurses who cared for her and performed various uncomfortable tests because of her weakened condition. Before the end of that day, her twin brother was also admitted with similar, though less severe, symptoms.

As I sat in these hospital rooms, going back and forth to nurse and comfort our babies, with my dear husband caring for them in turn, and with family & friends supporting & aiding with our older three children, I still felt troubled. I had nursed my twins, as difficult as that had been, to give them nutrients & vitamins…I had kept them home most of the time out of germs, only attending church…I was doing all I thought I could do. Why was this happening to me? I was just about to close a chapter on one of the most difficult years of my life, and now this?

Through much prayer & faith & persevering through a tough five days, both twins were released to go home with a stronger, better mother. I reached new levels of understanding where I would have been quick to judge before on the weaknesses of others. I had greater gratitude for family & friends who took care of the other details of my life so I could take care of my babies.

As I look back on that time each year about now, I feel grateful…grateful for lessons I’ve learned, grateful for the gift of life, & grateful we will be celebrating their fifth birthdays soon. I also think of a quotation from Elaine Dalton which I admire. She once said, “I can do hard things.”

We can all do hard things. If we will allow, these “hard things” can teach us and refine our character; they can build us where we are weak and strengthen us to be prepared for even greater experiences. With the help of heaven and those around us, we can do all things we are given.

What hard things have you experienced? What have you learned? What will you experience this year to build your character and understanding?

On New Year’s Day, something happened that I usually would’ve allowed to infuriate me.  I let it go.  I worked on flashing my new-found smile.  And I felt lighter.

Then, my twins got sick.  Fevers, coughs, up all during the night (in fact, last night, I felt like I was up every two hours…like nursing a newborn again!!)…and I am still happy.  My smile took a little more effort this morning, but with a little help from my dear husband, I made it happen despite the challenges.  And I am happy now. 

I have noticed many more people walking out and about among our neighborhood (New Year’s Resolutions for health, maybe?).  Florida (as many other parts of the US) is very cold right now–yet the people are out and about fulfilling their goals despite opposition from cold & wind.

I used to think that we received opposition to our new goals or plans to derail us…to challenge us so much that we often feel like giving up on what we really want.  Then, for a time in my life, I thought that opposition was really in place to help us appreciate all the work that we do to acquire a talent, achieve a goal, or receive a particular blessing–so we would know that whatever it was meant enough to us to persevere and accomplish.  Currently, I am of the opinion that opposition gives us amazing opportunities to strengthen our resolve to change.

These opportunities are not always going to be met with perfect courage or positivity.  Sometimes we will still fall short, get sick, or have rough days…but as we see the opportunity to strengthen ourselves through the opposition, we can see our own power to grow and change and become the people we want to be.  We are empowered!

So…would you say opposition in all things…or opportunity in all things?