Many of us are not history buffs... When we hear the name Artemis, we may connect it to a masculine figure, or in Cincinnati, the tool used to monitor traffic. But in ancient times, Artemis was a woman. She was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. The daughter of Zeus, goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity, and young girls, bringing and relieving disease in young women; she was often depicted carrying a bow and arrow.... I found her while trying to seek out a description for an athletic goddess, which is who you will meet today. Although I have myself a somewhat strong physical character, it is the women who are able to push the physical boundaries of the human body, to achieve goals many envy (including myself). They motivate me to want to work harder, and are breathing proof that motherhood is not a box, but an open road, meant to be shared with our young....
Carrie.....
Carrie is my neighbor. The day I moved in 3 years ago, she greeted me with a smile and a delicious chocolate zucchini cake. Halloween was always a special treat, because her mother helped make the most elaborate costumes for the whole family. That first year, she was the Colonel Sanders, her husband was the chicken, and the baby was the drumstick in a bucket! We became friends while I walked my dog, and she strollered her little one off to the library. Our husbands are the same age, and have similar hobby's, so we always had something to talk about, mostly various injuries, suffered at the hands of sports. We became pregnant very closely, and she was a wonderful person to give advice, and share little quirks of motherhood. It was after she had her second daughter, I saw her strength. She quickly balanced the challenges of two children, along side the dedicated schedule of training in multiple sports. This year alone she has completed a trial half marathon in the Flying Pig, a Half Iron Man, received 1st place in a large regional triathlon, and that is what just comes to mind. I love her because she does not try to come across as snooty, she is very kind, hilarious, and humble. Her mother also helped me create a baptism gown out of my deconstructed wedding dress, so it is a generational appreciation of her family. If I was able to, I would post her photo and story on an issue of Women's Health Magazine cover, so other women would have a real example of some one who shows that you can be fit, and have kids!
Jaclyn....
I met Jaclyn a few years ago when I had gone home to run a race in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. She is the wife of an old friend of mine, and we were introduced at dinner the night before. I quickly grew to admire who she was. For years she was a yoga instructor, teaching at resorts in Jamaica during the summer, while working on her masters degree in education. Over the years I have witnessed her do amazing things. She completed the Pikes Peak Ascent, which is one of the most difficult races in the country, which tackles a 14,000 foot mountain. During her pregnancy, she continued to practice yoga and running, and guiding rafting trips along the Rio Grande river, up to the day she had her beautiful little girl. She chose to have an unmedicated birth, and exclusively breastfeed, while working full time as a teacher. In addition to her career, she has continued to train, running a half marathon a month along side her husband, and began competing in triathlon's! They have started a blog dedicated to their daughter about adventures in hiking, rafting and running, which I have had the pleasure of following myself. Although I do not live near her, by sharing her journey with others via digital media outlets, I am able to be inspired, and pass it along.
Not all of us have the motivation, or determination to live such athletic lives, but I do believe we all need friends like these, to encourage us on our first 5ks, eating healthier, and being good examples to our children as active people.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Women of Courage
One of the reasons I wanted to start a blog, was so I could share the stories of those I meet, to pass along hope and inspiration to others. There are several women who surround me, with lives that need to be shared. Today you will meet two of them, and as the journey continues, I ask for prayer for them to have strong feet, until they reach solid ground.
Shana....
Shana is one of my dearest friends. I always joke I did not want her to work with me, because I was afraid she would leave. But she was persistent, and I am forever thankful, because she has had a huge impact on my life. Shana is the mother of a beautiful soon to be 3 year old daughter, and yet to be born daughter on the way. I look to her as a model for how to be with my own daughter, not allowing too much television, always having proper manners, lots of structure mixed in with lots of play. I sought her advice on what I really needed when I was pregnant, and found unending support during my "baby blue" days, and breastfeeding journey. Shana was very excited when she found out she was able to get pregnant so quickly, as was I, because I was able to give her in return all the support she provided for me, including breastfeeding help to make sure this time was successful. Not too long ago, she received the news that no mother wants to hear. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to start chemotherapy treatment right away. Her hair has started to fall out, and the little angel has yet to make her way into the world. For as devastating as this is, she is the most optimistic person I know. After all is said and done, I know she will have sage advice for other mothers who may be in her shoes, and will gladly pass it on....
JoEllen....
From even before the day I met JoEllen, I admired her path in life. It was one I wanted to follow desperately, and she tried to advise me the best she could, before fate intervened and placed me in the office next to her. She so graciously allows me to pick her brain, and during her maternity leave I took it upon myself to create a life size cut out for her desk, because we missed her presence so dearly. It was she who told me to "honor the mother", and has taught me ways of doing so. She has a natural compassion that allows her to reach women of all walks of life, and embrace who they are, and take back the power of decision making in their own well being. A few months ago she decided to have the birth she desired. To bring a little life into peaceful waters in the comfort of her home, free of interventions and medications, the way nature intended. Little Lincoln came into being, from womb to water, scooped up by her arms. All was well, and a few days later, it wasn't. She knew something was off, so they went to the hospital. Very quickly he was whisked off to Cincinnati Children's Hospital NICU, where he is temporarily residing until the hiccups cease. Lincoln was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. It is one of the rarest types of defects, and always must endure a transplant. He has already had one surgery to prepare him for the next step, and he has not even crossed the 6 month mark. Despite the diagnosis, JoEllen too has remained optimistic. Not to say that there has not been moments of absolute melt downs, but that is human, and the emotions of any mother with a child in this situation... She even took her IBCLC exam last month, which is the monster of lactation test!
Although these journeys are very different, one thing is common. We place our hope in our creator, therefore it is not lost, and in the best hands possible.. It is not over, and for that we are thankful, forever.....
Shana....
Shana is one of my dearest friends. I always joke I did not want her to work with me, because I was afraid she would leave. But she was persistent, and I am forever thankful, because she has had a huge impact on my life. Shana is the mother of a beautiful soon to be 3 year old daughter, and yet to be born daughter on the way. I look to her as a model for how to be with my own daughter, not allowing too much television, always having proper manners, lots of structure mixed in with lots of play. I sought her advice on what I really needed when I was pregnant, and found unending support during my "baby blue" days, and breastfeeding journey. Shana was very excited when she found out she was able to get pregnant so quickly, as was I, because I was able to give her in return all the support she provided for me, including breastfeeding help to make sure this time was successful. Not too long ago, she received the news that no mother wants to hear. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to start chemotherapy treatment right away. Her hair has started to fall out, and the little angel has yet to make her way into the world. For as devastating as this is, she is the most optimistic person I know. After all is said and done, I know she will have sage advice for other mothers who may be in her shoes, and will gladly pass it on....
JoEllen....
From even before the day I met JoEllen, I admired her path in life. It was one I wanted to follow desperately, and she tried to advise me the best she could, before fate intervened and placed me in the office next to her. She so graciously allows me to pick her brain, and during her maternity leave I took it upon myself to create a life size cut out for her desk, because we missed her presence so dearly. It was she who told me to "honor the mother", and has taught me ways of doing so. She has a natural compassion that allows her to reach women of all walks of life, and embrace who they are, and take back the power of decision making in their own well being. A few months ago she decided to have the birth she desired. To bring a little life into peaceful waters in the comfort of her home, free of interventions and medications, the way nature intended. Little Lincoln came into being, from womb to water, scooped up by her arms. All was well, and a few days later, it wasn't. She knew something was off, so they went to the hospital. Very quickly he was whisked off to Cincinnati Children's Hospital NICU, where he is temporarily residing until the hiccups cease. Lincoln was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. It is one of the rarest types of defects, and always must endure a transplant. He has already had one surgery to prepare him for the next step, and he has not even crossed the 6 month mark. Despite the diagnosis, JoEllen too has remained optimistic. Not to say that there has not been moments of absolute melt downs, but that is human, and the emotions of any mother with a child in this situation... She even took her IBCLC exam last month, which is the monster of lactation test!
Although these journeys are very different, one thing is common. We place our hope in our creator, therefore it is not lost, and in the best hands possible.. It is not over, and for that we are thankful, forever.....
Honor The Mother vol. 1
One of the most important things I have ever been told, especially in my line of work is "honor the mother". What does that mean? How do I as an individual, and collectively as a society do we take on such a task? For those who are the religious sort, God commands very specifically to "honor thy mother". Perhaps it was meant to be not just a literal statement, but a broad one as well. Many faiths across cultures, honor women, and the divine capability we have to create life. A mother is not just a feminine being that procreates and brings into being another soul. It is a character trait, that each day is pushed to become the fullest extent of possibility, love deeper than the oceans, and be rooted deeper than the trees of the might sequoia. Being a mother is not limited to the blood we share, but the bond of affection we cultivate. Over time, I hope to inspire many to see the light that shines outward, and honor the mother within....
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