I am AWAKE

I woke up as a 6 year old terrified of the creatures that haunted me in my dreams

I woke up at 10 to the sounds of screaming knowing that it wasn’t ending soon

I woke up at 14 with a feeling hard to explain unless you’ve met that boy that makes your heart skip 

ten beats at a time

I woke up at 16 to a flutter that I knew wasn’t gas

I woke up at 17 to his cries of hunger knowing I’m all he has

I woke up at 19, 6am seems early for college algebra

I woke up at 20 with the utmost confidence that he will never hurt me again

I woke up at 24 having no idea that this was the day that a man would ask me to be his forever

I woke up at 25 with a new last name and the feeling of elation

I woke up at 26 to a suckling baby on my breast

I woke up at 30 with a sinking feeling, knowing I will never see my grandma again

I awoke at 35 with the phone in my hand and fear in my chest as I prayed, “God, please keep my son safe tonight”

I awoke at 38 with the call from our daughter that it’s time, our first grandson is on his way

I awoke at 41 with anticipation knowing today we would give our daughter away

I awoke at 42 and excitedly headed to the hospital to meet my son’s son, what a delightful day

I awoke today, I thanked God for waking me. For my parents, my husband, my kids and grandsons, 

my home, my friends, my business…for my life. 

Today I live. I live because I woke up, to Life

Chris and I at a wedding in 2014, Happily ever after.