You hear me talk a lot about hope and gratitude. I’ve always been a positive person – it’s just the way I’m wired. I naturally look for silver linings, but honestly, silver linings have been difficult to find over the past few years. I’ve struggled with delayed-onset postpartum depression, anxiety, and birth trauma PTSD.
None of this has been easy. But it’s given me a chance to remind myself that it’s possible to find a silver lining in every situation – and in my experience, the harder it is to find, the brighter it will shine once it’s discovered.
I’m excited to share that one of my essays called “Smiled at the Rising Sun” was selected to appear in an upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul Anthology titled The Power of Gratitude. The book will be released on August 23. My essay is about how we found hope while Jax was in the NICU.
The book includes 101 real-life, personal stories that focus on the many benefits of gratitude and thankfulness. Whether you’re naturally grateful, or whether you need to push the reset button on your attitude, these stories will help you see even more good in your life.
Hope for Preemies
We are helping to bring hope to other NICU families through a fundraising book signing event. We will donate 50% of the proceeds to The Potato Head Project, a non-profit organization that helps to bring hope and gratitude to families in the NICU.
The Hope for Preemies fundraiser will be on September 11, 2016 from 2:00 – 6:00pm at the Artisan Bistro in Prior Lake. There will be a book signing, a silent auction, drink and food specials, and fun. We would love to see you there!
You can find out more about the event and RSVP through the Hope for Preemies Facebook event.
If you or your business would like to donate an item for the silent auction, please contact me at jaxmully@hotmail.com.
If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to purchase a book for $15 or make a donation, you can do so at www.paypal.me/AnEarlyStart.
The Potato Head Project
Kristin Moan gave birth to twins, Dylan and Hayden, at 23 weeks 6 days gestation. During their 119 day NICU stay, they took weekly photos with a Mrs. Potato Head so others could understand how truly small the twins were and see their progress.
In 2013, Kristin started The Potato Head Project, a non-profit that delivers Potato Head toys to micropreemie families. The Potato Head Project gives parents a way to track their baby’s progress and find hope and levity in an otherwise stressful situation.
An Early Start 