I fell.
Literally.
Crashed so hard to the Earth that I felt shaken to tears.
I was just cruising along, my beautiful girl wrapped safely in my arms, when suddenly I found myself falling in slow motion toward an unforgiving tile floor, trying with all my might to protect my precious child from harm.
We were celebrating a dear friend’s birthday at her home, enjoying the gorgeous afternoon weather, feeling so good and so happy.
My lil’ toddler asked me to help her find my friend’s son, with whom my baby is absolutely enamored, so I scooped her delicate two year old body into my arms and the search began.
Before long, we made our way to the kitchen and as I marched full speed ahead, my foot was encumbered by the massive solid unmoving body of a sweet old golden retriever laying sideways across my path, whose auburn fur perfectly matched the color of the kitchen’s tile floor.
Through the haze of screams and the cracks of bones meeting tile, I felt flooded by a rush of tears and an overwhelming anguish at the possibility that I had injured my dear girl.
Thankfully, I am ever supported, and friends were next to me immediately, lifting me up, helping me stand, reassuring me that everything would be okay.
And you know, they were right.
I don’t remember the last time I felt such intense and powerful raw emotion. I was terrified, shocked, and yet, hopeful. I just held my baby close to my bosom, softly whispering to her, “Everything is okay, I’m so sorry baby, Mommy loves you…” I rocked her back and forth, guided kindly by my dear friend to a comfy rocking chair; the fluidity and gentle movement soothed both my baby and me.
Soon, I relaxed into the closeness of my child, my deep belly breath, focusing on knowing that everything is alright…these are what brought me back from the land of fear and overwhelm to a place of trust and love.
After much cuddling, mommy milk, and an ice pack on the back of her head, my girl’s tears began to subside. When she was feeling calm and at ease again, her first words reminded me of the cooperative and compassionate nature of our species.
“Mommy, are you okay?” she whispered as her vivid blue eyes lovingly peeked up at me.
At once, my tears began to flow again, this time from the joy bursting in my heart for the honor and privilege of being her mama.
Two things helped me find relief and comfort with ease: my breath and LOVE.
They say the most important thing about falling is the getting back up.
And I believe it.
I also believe the most important thing about being alive is to know love.
To be so in tune, so connected, so in the flow of the richness of it that we cannot help but love and be loved.
I give thanks for my fall.
For the resilience of our human bodies.
For the tenderness of the human heart.
I appreciate the opportunity to be knocked down and the chance to stand up, to accept help from my friends, to be reminded of the beautiful precious gift of life.
I am thankful for the physical and literal reminder that we can stumble, we can fall flat on our faces, we can be shaken to the core…and we can still trust the universe, stand up, and face the world anew…perhaps wiser, definitely more grateful, and ever more present in the exquisite experience of being human.
What stumbles or flat out falls on your path are you grateful for?
What insights have you gained from the falls…and the standing up to move forward with your life?
Wishing you infinite Peace & Love!
Denise Metchikoff Giardina
March 3, 2013
So beautifully written and inspiring, Denise! We are truly blessed. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. xoxo
daretoshineteo
March 3, 2013
Oh, Denise, thank you for your kind words. Yes, we are definitely blessed…life is so good & full of love! 🙂
Britton Minor
March 4, 2013
Beautiful, Denise…brought me to tears. Today my mother may pass into the next realm of life, and your post reminds me that in honoring her life, in letting her go, I will stand in love and strength for the next parts of the journey having been nurtured and enriched by her love.
daretoshineteo
March 4, 2013
LOVE will always see us through…thank you for your heartfelt words, Britton. Letting go is definitely a challenge for me, too…I wish you strength, courage and the knowledge that your mama is always with you, no matter what, no matter where. You are in my thoughts and I am sending loving energy your way…