A lesson in Empathy

Bearing up under our own burdens can help us develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems others face. - L. Whitney Clayton

Lately I have been trying to be in tune to what lessons I could learn right now and a huge lesson I see right now is empathy. Here are two recent examples:

Yesterday I asked a friend how his sister was. Awhile ago he had shared with me that she was struggling to get pregnant and had had several m/c. Then a couple months ago he shared that she was pregnant with twins from IVF. I had thought of this stranger half way across the world and wondered how she was doing, finally I had my chance to inquire yesterday. He told me that she had lost the babies. My hear sank and I felt my eyes moisten. I could taste her disappointment, her anger, her grief. I am not saying I completely understand her situation, I don't. But I emphasised with this woman. My heart went out to her in a way I have not previously experienced. If I have gained anything from this experience, I have gained empathy.

But empathy has a happy flip side to it too. I always thought empathy meant understanding grief and pain, but an experience this week taught me that I can also empathise with peoples joy. I got an e-mail that a dear friend adopted a baby. Rarely have I ever felt so happy for another human being. I wanted to jump up and down and tell everyone I knew and knit something for this cute, adorable little bundle of wonderfulness that filled her new parents dreams. And lying in bed that night I realized two things, one happy endings (or maybe happy beginnings) do happen and two my heart feels on a new deeper level because of journey in motherhood. One of the hidden gems from my journey.

My name is Emily and this is the story of my journey in motherhood.