Gratitude note to the heroes in my family

Gratitude note

On a Monday like this 1 year ago, my helper at the time decided to leave feigning that one of her relatives had died and she was going for burial and would return after a few days. I bid her farewell and even handed her money to facilitate her and her family in this time. You would think that by now, after going through several maids that I suspected she was lying. Even if I did, how could I say no to someone who was clearly distraught?

Anywho, the real story is this one.

So it is 2 weeks after the birth of Theo my 3^rd born. It was a successful delivery and it was a C-section. Here I was with a baby, as well as my other school going children and the term had just begun. In the midst of my troubles, God placed women of valour around me to share my load.

My mother had moved in with us to help out as she usually does when one of us has a child. I will never forget these words.” Give me the baby and go to sleep”. They are golden words. If you know, you know. She cooked, cleaned and cooked some more. I was grateful to have her around.

My sister who lives a stone’s throw of me always came to prepare my boys for school in the morning. She instructed her helper to take on some of my household’s load. I will never forget the mighty army of helpers that God availed me as we continued our search for a replacement. She made sure I made it for doctor’s appointments, even drives around home just so I could change environment.

My other sisters and brothers checked in on us, some washing clothes, others just lifting child so I could get some sleep. I look back with so much gratitude amidst the pain in that season.

Truth is, I kept a grudge in my heart. This was after I discovered that she had actually gone to another home to work there. I didn’t wish her well. I was angry and hurt that she chose such a time to leave.

Of course I later found help and some normalcy returned to our home. I didn’t forgive this girl till recently.

It dawned on me that I would continue hurting myself if I didn’t let this girl go. I finally forgave her and prayed a blessing over her. I got the guts to call her recently but she had since changed her number. I just wanted to let her know how we were and how the baby was and inquire after her.

What am I saying? I am grateful for family, for my family. For selflessness, for love and provision. For brothers that sacrifice time just to be by your side when you are unwell. For parents who call in just to check on us. For in-laws that love. For work mates that took moments from work to come check on us. For fruitful wombs. For fleet administrators at work that keep checking on us.  For cell members who check in.

It’s a year since this happened and am grateful to God for how far he has brought us.

This is the end of this story.