Uncertainty and grace have been constant companions in my life, especially as Thanksgiving approaches and milestones arrive.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself feeling especially reflective.
Our daughter, Andie – who arrived at just 25 weeks – turns 25 years old on Thanksgiving Day.
Sometimes it feels like just yesterday I was sitting beside her isolette in the NICU, wishing for a crystal ball. I wanted to skip past the fear and the fragile in-between and land safely in certainty. I wanted reassurance that she would be okay, that we would be okay.
But life doesn’t come with crystal balls.
Over time, I learned one of the most important lessons of my life – that the very thing I wanted to escape was not a detour. It was life itself. Learning to live with uncertainty softened me in ways I didn’t know I needed and strengthened parts of me I might never have built otherwise.
This past year has brought its own challenges. Our daughter faced surgeries and setbacks that interrupted both her health and the early beginnings of adult life. And yet, she kept going. Quietly. Steadily. With a resilience that continues to humble me.
As a mother, I’m reminded that resilience is rarely one dramatic moment. More often, it’s built through small, ordinary acts of courage – choosing to show up, choosing to keep moving, choosing to meet ourselves where we are.
This season feels tender, not just for me, but for so many. If you’ve been navigating your own uncertainties this year, I hope this reflection offers a small reminder that you are not behind and you are not failing.
Uncertainty and grace often walk hand in hand.
Read On Significant Milestones, Uncertainty, and Grace on Substack
This reflection is part of my ongoing writing here on my blog.
