All to myself

I've finally stolen away 30 minutes to sit and tap away at the keyboard.  Upon warming up my coffee for the umpteenth time in preparation of late afternoon blogging, I've been trying to decide what would be more therapeutic.  Should I simply ramble about the joys of the baby fashion show because Grace's diapers soaked through again?  Maybe I could use cyberspace as a platform to psyche myself up to create some new things for the first time in months...  Is 30 minutes anywhere near enough time to locate, dig up, and craft something truly meaningful and hugely profound in my awkward life right now? 

The latter would clearly be the best use of my time if I'm trying to maintain my sanity.  But, I don't know that I'm up for such a challenge.  Alas, that is the direction with which this blog entry is obviously veering.  That being said, ready... set... go!

In reflection of the many trials and tribulations that our family has had with that beautiful thing called breastfeeding, I've come to a conclusion or two about life in general.  First, I'm realizing more and more that the best thing for you is often nowhere near the easiest thing for you.  Breastfeeding is clearly the best thing for my baby as a myriad of studies have shown, but no one really lets a first time mom in on how truly trying its going to be.

Of course and like many other things in my life, had I known, I might not have possessed the courage to give it a whirl.  As if a whirl is really what I've given it.  That's not it at all.  Rather, I've given my commitment to it because I know the long term, big picture benefits.  As with much of life, we know the end result - a healthy, happy, person.  Still, the journey of infusing a high road concept into everyday life is also, in most cases, the road less traveled for a reason.

And with breastfeeding, I have witnessed the reasons.  There are plenty in my own life and I've heard many more come out of the mouths of friends, acquaintances, and strangers.  As not to delve too, too much into the intricacies of the female body, suffice it to say that it takes a strong family to stay committed to it.  I say family because the skill that is breastfeeding is a community effort if only within the community of one's home. 

And like life, I appreciate those around me that go before us.  I commend those that pass on both their defeats and their triumphs for the better good.  I thank those that see the everyday from a higher perspective, one that encourages and imparts the essence of life into others.

Because, really, those acts, those gestures, those people are the ones that make the journey worthwhile. 

Art by redletterwords