Life Had Other Plans

Thank you, dear sister. My parents were used to hardship, coming out of depression era, WWII, and personal tragedies. Their capacity for enduring sadness was exceeded only by their capacity for exhibiting compassion and empathy. I learned about my mother's four miscarriages late in life and she didn't wish to speak of it, but I know it shaped their love and commitment as parents. Thank you for your friendship ~ John

Thank you Janice for the kind words and congrats ~ John

Thank you for coming back for another visit, my friend!

Thank you for all your kind words, Sara. I consider myself very fortunate ~ John

Thank you for sharing your heartwarming thoughts, Sam. Blessings to you as well ~ John

Thank you for your thoughtful reply Alexis. Enjoy your day ~ John

I'm glad you asked.

Very grateful, my kind friend.

Hi Andrea, very kind of you to ask. My sister was born, then came four miscarriages, then me (6 years after my sister). My parents took one look at me and said "Never Again!", just kidding.

Thank you, Anne-Lise. So nice to hear from you.

Thanks for the kind words and family background, Sam. "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." My parents grew up in the great depression and WWII, both lost a young sibling and both had a great capacity for sadness, and love.

I am too, Paghunda. There is much to be grateful for. Enjoy your day.

Always love hearing from you Eve. Thank you for such kind words.

Thank you for both comments, Michelle. Appreciate the friendship and compassion.

Amen, Kim! Thank you.

Thank you for sharing that, Krish. "What ifs" can be overwhelming to contemplate, but they can also teach us much about embracing life and squeezing every ounce from it we can manage. Appreciate your comment.

All you said reaches me deeply, Line. It is a chapter of my parent's lives more than mine, but it explains a lot about their depth of character and capacity for love. Many blessings to you.

Thank you for your empathy, Carolyn. You're right about the different life that could have been. Enjoy your day!

Thank you for another great contest, and for your generous words and placement. I have tremendous respect and gratitude for my parents' resilience and faith.

Yes, my sis and I always felt cherished by my parents. Not spoiled, but cherished. Lovely to hear about your daughter's successful birth. Appreciate all the visits today, dear friend.

Thank you, Michelle. I wasn't born yet, so I couldn't observe their pain, and they never talked about it. It's only now, after they are gone that it has really sunk it how much grief they must have gone through, and courage to keep trying. I do know that I was very, very loved. Your words are kind, and I appreciate you.

Yes, though my sister and I are 6 years apart, we are close, thanks to her ability to forgive the years of torture a younger brother can dish out! Kudos to mom for her faith and fiber. Thanks for the lovely comment, my friend

Indeed they do. Thanks for the visit, my friend.

A sad coincidence indeed, Francine. A testimony to our mothers for the courage they demonstrated to keep trying in the face of tears and adversity. Truly brave women. Thank you for the touching visit.

Yes, I must say my parents were pretty happy. Boy, did that change when I turned terrible 2, haha! Thanks for the kind words, my friend.