Perfect Moment Monday: Out of This World

Good morning! After reading and commenting on most of last week’s Perfect Moment Monday blog entries, I was struck by how a number of them seemed to have a common theme. It was a theme that Perfect Moment Monday founder/facilitator Lori at Write Mind Open Heart blogged about and so aptly used to title her post, “The Promised Land.”

I was moved by how various bloggers, most of who have all dealt with infertility and/or loss over the years and then went on to be able to be able to build their families one way or another, are now living in their own “promised lands.” Even better, I was touched by each of these blogger’s ability to recognize how grateful and happy they are to be there. I thought it was very cool and appreciate that many of the posts were centered around not just noticing the perfect moments, but realizing how blessed and lucky we are to have them in our lives.

I shared some of my observations in two comments on Lori’s post, including this one:

Congratulations on making it to the Promised Land Lori and, even better, enjoying it for what it is! So often people (including me) struggle to appreciate any particular stage of their lives, as we are always thinking about what’s next. Good for you being able to realize what is in front of you and make the most of it with your husband and amazing children. I am also so glad that your Promised Land is even better than you imagined it could or would be! That’s awesome!

People, especially bloggers, often talk about how something they read stays with them long after they first see the words on the page (or in this case my computer screen). This is definitely one of those times for me. I have found myself reflecting on this “Promised Land” concept this week (which seemed very appropriate being that it was Holy Week for Christians and Passover for Jews) and trying to be even more present to and grateful for the many blessings in my own life, especially my husband and our children.

I found it interesting to read our Stirrup Queen Mel’s National Infertility Awareness Week “Bust an Infertility Myth Challenge” blog entry last night, in light of all this. In her post Mel talks about the divide between those who are still trying to build or expand their families and what it means to be on “the other side” of infertility and/or loss.  Mel also discusses what some people choose do with our experience once we have reached that “Promised Land” and how we can help to bridge that divide between those who are here and those who are still trying to find their way. Definitely something I will continue to chew on as I reflect on this time of my life.

Which brings me to this week’s perfect moments…

Our son Sean’s spring break was this past week and the weather was less than desirable. The average temperature was in the low 40’s and it was cloudy and rainy more often than not. We decided awhile ago that Bob would take Good Friday off work and that we would do something special as a family. Initially we had discussed to go to the zoo, however as the week progressed and the weather forecast appeared to be more of the same, we changed our plan. We gave Sean the opportunity to pick from one of the many awesome museums that have here in Chicago and he chose the Adler Planetarium. He had attended a really cool day camp there for a week last summer and still talks about his experience and many of the interesting exhibits there. 

So Friday morning we braved the rainy and slick expressway to downtown Chicago and made our way over to the “Museum Campus” to visit the Planetarium. As Bob, Sean, Abby and I enjoyed exploring the museum together as a family, I found myself reflecting on such outings with my parents and sister when I was a kid. As we took in the exhibits and one of the cool shows about the sky and our world there, I realized that in many ways I do believe that I have reached that “Promised Land.” 

After getting off to an amazing start with our son Sean in 2003, Bob and I experienced many years of wishing, hoping and praying to be able to add to our family. As I shared in my Resolution post in December 2009, I finally feel that “this has been resolved.” Though our family may not look the way I expected, hoped or dreamed it would (in terms of the number and age differences of our children), I feel incredibly blessed and lucky for my family as we are, here and now.

Our museum visit was such a wonderful experience, full of many perfect moments, to be spending one of my 7 1/2 year old son’s spring break days off school with my husband/his daddy and one of my daughters/his younger sisters at such a fun and interesting place in our city!  I will leave you with some of my favorites pictures from that day with my family that was truly “out of this world:”

Our Little Astronaut Abby

Our Big Astronaut Sean

Abby looking through the window of a “people mover.”

Sean checking out one of the outer space exhibits.

Daddy and Sean after our lunch overlooking Lake Michigan.

Mommy and Abby after our lunch at the Planetarium.

Bob, Sean, Abby and I had a lovely Easter celebration with our family this weekend. We came home from dinner last night with full stomachs and full hearts. However you spent this weekend, I hope that you had a wonderful time. Happy Easter, Happy Passover and Happy Spring to you and yours!