My Birthday Wish

I turned 38 yesterday. Some days, I can’t believe I’m that old already. I mean, I *just* graduated from college…didn’t I? This morning, Jax and I built train tracks on our living room floor. Down the hill, through the tunnel, to the station…. “Mommy! DON’T,” my boy yells when I try to turn the train on and let it run, unaided, through the twists and turns. Jax would much rather push the trains with his hands.

His imagination is inspiring.

But I get sick of being yelled at, so I stand up. My hips ache and I limp off to the computer to write this blog post. These are the times I’m reminded of my age. I never used to have problems sitting on the floor. I never used to get bossed around by a four-year-old train purist.

Do you know how grateful I am to have these aches and pains? To be irritated by my bossy preschooler? To have the luxury of spending a Saturday morning on the floor surrounded by train tracks and Thomas engines?

All week, Jax kept saying “I make you a prize, Mommy!” He meant surprise and I’m so grateful that my son and my husband spent time making me a special card this week.

My prizes – my aching joints, my thoughtful husband, the boisterous boy, all of you – are amazing. I am lucky.

The first year Jax was here, we spent my birthday snuggled up on the Kangaroo Chair. He was so small and still so sick. He had just been transferred to a different hospital and he was having a hard time getting used to the new routine.

Even though I’m smiling in this picture, things felt pretty hopeless and scary, and I really could have used some help finding gratitude and hope.

I’ve teamed up with The Potato Head Project to help bring HOPE to families in the NICU.

In honor of my birthday, and of hope and gratitude, I would be honored if you chose to sponsor a copy of The Power of Gratitude to be included in a NICU care package. Your $15 sponsorship will bring 101 stories of gratitude to a family who is struggling to find any silver linings at all.

You can help make a difference.

Sponsor a book now!

It’s easy to sponsor a book via PayPal. Click on the link above and type the amount you wish to donate (books are $15 each) and follow the instructions on your screen. If you don’t already have a PayPal account, you can sign up for one for free. If you’d prefer to send a cash or check donation, please email JaxMully@hotmail.com for our mailing address.

Thank you for helping to make my birthday wish of bringing hope to NICU families come true. ❤