I am a heart mom

On Feb. 2nd, I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon spent with some heart mama's. A fellow east-sider & friend, Colleen, and I drove over to Seattle for lunch and met with eight other women. Yes, driving over to Seattle for lunch and back is so worth it if you get to visit with other mom's in your same shoes. All of our kids are single ventricle kids with their own unique, complex heart. Our kids range from ages 6yrs to 5 weeks old. We are all at different stages in their care. Two of these mamas had babies in the CICU at Seattle Childrens and I was deeply saddended to learn that one of these sweet mama's lost their baby just two days after we had joined for lunch together. The reality of 1 out of 10 will not see thier first birthday came true in this group. Raising a child with a complex heart can be so difficult...battling for and then losing a child born with a CHD is simply unfair.

I enjoyed making heart cookies and gave each mama this poem with an awareness ribbon attached as a favor for coming. I don't know who wrote this but I'd like to share some words that describe each and every heart mom I've ever met...

I Am a HEART MOM

Tough * Blessed * 1 in 100 * Inspiring * Pushed to the Limit * Prepared * Knowledgeable * Compassionate * Brave * Special * Tired * Grateful * On an Amazing Journey * a Germaphobic * Fiercely Determined * Selfless * Aware of What Really Matters * Amazing * Hopeful * Strong Beyond Measure * Courageous * Seeking Miracles * Sleep Deprived * an Ordinary Woman Caring for an Extraordinary Child * Living for the Moment * Taking Nothing for Granted * Doing What I Think is Best for MY Child * Loving * Willing to do What's Required of Me * "Okay" * a Cheerleader * a Warrior * Worried * an Example * Strength Personified * an Advocate * in Survival Mode * a Student * Lucky * Pleading * Following My Instincts * Nervous * Stressed *

Stronger than I know!