"just normal"

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to spend part of the afternoon with moms.  When I initially typed that sentence I inserted the words "amazing" and "incredible" prior to the word "moms".  After erasing each of those words, I then wrote "medical" and erased that word as well. Yes, these women were all of those words (and more), but the reality is, while they are moms of a medically complex child (or two), the reason this blog post is dedicated to my time with them, and this specific event with them, is because while what brought us together is the similar but different journeys our children have taken us on, the best part was that we were able to be "mom's just hanging out".

I spent a good portion of my time in awe of the situation and I spent a lot of silent driving time afterward processing it all.  Each mom represented a different part of the journey we all are living.  Each mom on her own individual journey yet in this one place she was among a mom who gets it.  A mom who even though she may have just met, allows her to say the thoughts that she would never be able to say to others.  A mom who doesn't feel pity or sorrow for what the other might be experiencing and who you know truly gets everything that is coming out of your mouth.  A mom who isn't trying to sugar coat the words being said or making you wonder how she might handle what you are going to say.

It was a completely surreal situation to be out in a public place, laughing through serious conversations, and having what some might call taboo discussions as if we were just moms hanging out following our child's music class.  I didn't feel like an inspiration or amazing or incredible or any other descriptive word that this group might be perceived by to others.  I felt like I was a child on his/her first day of school wanting to run home and tell everyone about my day and how many new friends I had just made.  For the first time while on this journey, I felt a sense of weightlessness.  I felt a place I belonged but most of all what I felt was really just normal.