Blooming

I’ve sat in front of the white glare of the computer screen for some time.  I’ve typed, deleted, retyped and deleted again.  When I think too much I struggled to write.  Thoughts get stuck in the whirlwind that is my brain and sentences that are pulled together resemble a sort of muddled mess.  Truth is, tonight, I’m trying to play it cool.  I’m trying to sound calm and collected while on the inside, every fiber of my being is dancing.

Last week I read this post on Kelle Hampton’s blog.  Seriously, who among us doesn’t read Enjoying the Small Things? (If you don’t, you must).  Anyway, last week she invited her readers to share their own stories that reflect the ideas that she wrote about in her book, Bloom.  In short, she asked her readers to share their own stories of finding beauty in the unexpected and she would select four to be published in a special Mother’s Day post. 

In full disclosure, I read every beautiful post Kelly Hampton writes.  However, in the little over two years I have been reading her blog I have never commented.  I’ve been a lurker hidden amongst her thousands of readers–not bold enough to come out of the shadows.  When I read her invitation, though, my heart actually quickened and a lump immediately formed in my throat.  I didn’t know why, but I knew I just had to share.  If I’ve learned nothing else over the last few years, I have most certainly come to understand that beauty found in ashes is among life’s most precious gifts. 

So with shaking hands and sweaty palms I did my best to tell my story in 300 words by breaking down this post.  Friends, if you’ve spent any time here you know that 300 words is pushing it for me.  Somehow, I managed to do it and I piled my story alongside the stories of hundreds of other remarkable women who shared their own stories of strength, perseverance, and hope. 

This afternoon, I clicked on Enjoying The Small Things and was shocked, humbled, overwhelmed, and honored to find my words on her special Mother’s Day post

We Bloom.  We all Bloom.


Interestingly, blooms have been a theme around here this weekend.  Friday, Chad took Chanelle out and let her choose “any flowers she wanted” to plant on our deck.  Of course, purple was the color of choice.  The kids could not wait to get their hands dirty in order to make a home for these delicate little flowers. 

Even Meadow got into the game as she oohh and ahhed the pretty colors. . .

I watched as Chad, Charlie, and Chanelle dug in deep and got their hands dirty to make something beautiful, where before, there was nothing. 

And I think that is really what blooming is all about. . . seeing or creating beauty wherever you are, especially, like Kelle Hampton describes, “in the unexpected.”

As I read through the numerous stories of those who responded to Kelle Hampton’s invitation I was struck by the power in our numbers.  I was struck by the strength that we all carry within us. We may appear as delicate as the tiny little flowers we planted Saturday evening, but in reality we are strong enough to withstand the strongest of storms.  

Just a few weeks ago Chad and I were talking and I said to him, what if we were all meant for greatness?  (Isn’t this a conversation we all have while cleaning up dinner dishes?)  Truth is, I believe it.  I believe each of us carries within us a capacity for greatness.  And greatness is, I believe, the capacity to live life fully, honestly, completely, and authentically.  Truly, greatness is to be who we were created to be. 

I won’t lie and say I’m there, but I will say that’s the journey on which “my story” has taken me.  This week, the We Bloom invitation reminded me how important it is to grab on to others through our journey’s.  It reminded me that none of us were meant to walk down the road alone.  It reminded me that it is not necessarily our pain or our weakness or our heartaches that unite us.  What truly unites us is our courage, our hope and our love.

We Bloom.  We all Bloom.  (Thank you, Kelle Hampton, for the reminder.)

If you are here from Enjoying The Small Things, thank you so much for stopping by.  I’d love to hear from you and I hope you will follow and visit often.

  • Anonymous - May 14, 2012 - 6:07 am

    Jumped over for Kelle's blog…beautiful story, family and photographs!

    Jill B (Overland Park, KS)ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - May 14, 2012 - 12:35 pm

    I'm so proud of you, Summer!ReplyCancel

  • Trophy Life - May 14, 2012 - 1:05 pm

    i feel like you've won a contest or the lottery or something. ; )

    love you, your blog, your family, your words, your courage and strength and compassion.ReplyCancel

  • Abbe - May 14, 2012 - 1:18 pm

    ahhh! i love both your blog and kelle's blog dearly. so proud of you for being selected for her mother's day post. what a beautiful thing… for so many reasons. xoxo!ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - May 14, 2012 - 3:30 pm

    Oh Summer.

    I think the most amazing thing about all of this is that you didn't set out to be "chosen" or "spotlighted" — but you were because you words resonate with SO MANY of us.

    HUG.ReplyCancel

  • Kim - May 14, 2012 - 4:46 pm

    Wow. I'm sitting here in tears at my desk at work. I read your story on Kelle's blog and I just had to come and comment on your blog. My mom has surgery booked in July. We don't know what the outcome is going to be, but I'm so scared. I'm so scared it's going to be bad news. Thank you for sharing your story and for giving me hope that if we are told the worst, we will make it through it one way or another.
    KimReplyCancel

  • Summer - May 14, 2012 - 5:13 pm

    Thank you so much, each one of you, for taking time to comment here and celebrate with me.

    Kim, I wish you and your family all the best as your Mom prepares for her surgery in July. I say a prayer for her today. . . for all of you.ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Moore - May 15, 2012 - 12:45 am

    Hello, As a so many I am an everyday follower of Kelle and when I read her Mother's Day post I was touched by all of the stories she chose, but when I read yours I wasn't one line in and tears were streaming down my face. My mom is my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without her. I feel lucky and blessed to have the relationship I have with her and imagined that you too had a similar relationship. I tend to be a lurker and rarely comment, but for some reason this time I had to comment. Thank you for sharing your story!ReplyCancel

  • Adriane - May 15, 2012 - 1:46 am

    I just read your post on Kelle's site and wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I lost my mom when I was 8 years old and even though I have my own children, Mother's Day is still difficult for me. Losing a parent is something that is just always with you. If you haven't done so already, you might want to check out Hope Edelman's books Motherless Daughters and Motherless Mothers… I found them really helpful in not feeling so alone…ReplyCancel

  • Summer - May 15, 2012 - 12:06 pm

    Thank you all for your very kind comments. Adriane, I appreciate the book titles. I've read a bit of Motherless Daughters, but have never heard of Motherless Mothers. I look forward to looking into it.

    Thank you all!ReplyCancel

  • Lisa@Pocketfuls - May 15, 2012 - 4:30 pm

    So nice to meet you and your family, Summer! I read your story on Kelle Hampton's blog and was very moved by it; since then I have been here visiting a few times and am really enjoying your beautiful thoughts, words, and photos. I'll be back often! 🙂

    If you'd like to meet my family, you can visit my blog here: http://pocketfulsoftreasure.blogspot.ca/ It seems we share some of the same life philosophies…

    All the best to you and your family for a wonderful summer!ReplyCancel

  • ~Janet - May 16, 2012 - 5:26 pm

    I popped in from Kelle's blog too. I think I found another blog to follow. Love your pics and comfortable way with words and inspiration.ReplyCancel

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