The first weeks of December are marked with sorrow for me. Three years ago I spent December 1st through 7th in a state of joy, feeling my baby kick and listening to her on my home doppler. I had all my Christmas shopping done, the little tree up, and I was feeling especially happy that by next Christmas we would be celebrating baby’s first. I posed in photos with vegetables next to my baby bump and filled out my pregnancy journal with misty eyes. The nausea and fatigue of the first trimester had finally passed, and given way to a wonder and love for my own body that I’d never known before and will never know again. I felt beautiful. Not just sexy, but truly, radiantly beautiful, like Mother Earth herself. I felt powerful, like I was actually creating a miracle, and I had brought it about through my own will power.
I was walking on the thinnest, most fragile membrane without even knowing that I was about to crash through it into the dark underbelly of grief. I was blissfully unaware that in a moment’s time, everything you believe and want and dream of can be gone, replaced with death. I know this is a reality for so much of the world, but my existence had been privileged enough that I did not even consider the possibility.
So in these weeks leading up to December 13, 2012, the day my baby died, I look at my living child, I listen to her breathe, and I feel so very aware of how it could all be gone in an instant. A car accident, a shooting, a drowning… countless ways in which the truest of happinesses can be lost forever. The first weeks of December are devoted to that reality, and to the gratitude that comes to me every day that I have joy in my life again.
Mother of All Things 
You looked absolutely radiant and joyful in that photo. I’m glad you shared those happy moments with Avalon while she was in your womb, kicking away. I wonder what kind of little girl she would be today.
Such a beautiful picture! I’m so sorry Avalon left so soon, but so glad M is filling your heart with that precious, fragile, joy.
December is the same for me, my 2 most heartbreaking losses. The first and third. I look back at December 2010 and marvel at what a completely different person I was. To my very core.
I’m sending light and love.
I came upon you by accident.
From what I can tell your a wonderful woman and mom.
I only wish you good things now and forever.
This week in December is called Hell week in our home. This year it has just become the icing on the shit cake. Thinking of you 3. ❤️
Thinking of you, too, and Willow and Hazel.