The Power of Firsts

The excitement of firsts is different based on the perspective of who is experiencing the moment.

The first day of school, first kiss, first boyfriend or girlfriend, first A in school, first award, first birthday, first milestone birthday, first anniversary and the list goes on. We as individuals look at these first experiences with wide eyed excitement. From a child’s perspective to a parent’s perspective, the butterflies we feel, the small smile on our face that lights us up, the look in our eyes. All these emotions captured in time during these moments of firsts. As a child, the first day of school was exciting, new friends, new toys, new activities, new teachers, new everything. For a parent the first day of school was exciting and gut wrenching all at that same time. To realize that our babies are on the path to growing up and in a blink, they will no longer need us. Leaving your baby at a school for someone else to take care of them is one of the hardest things for a parent to do. Praying and hoping that kids will be kind to them. That someone will eat lunch with them. That their day would be perfect. The first day of kindergarten and the first day of college. A sea of emotions that no one prepares a parent for. Dropping off your child at a university, to sleep away from home. For the teenager, they can’t wait to be free and independent. New friends and experiences. For a parent, the worrying in the pit of their stomach just got greater. These are all the firsts that we are excited to be a part of but they are experienced differently. A wedding, the birth of a newborn child, an engagement, a new house etc. So many amazing things to be grateful for, to be thankful for. Things to look forward to.

These moments bring us unimaginable joy, that will last a lifetime.

But life also has its many disappointing firsts. Your first negative pregnancy test after months of trying, your first visit to a fertility specialist, your first hormone injection, your first cycle with no ovulated eggs. Secondary Infertility is a very real and very personal. Something no one speaks about, but I can tell you firsthand there were many painful firsts that will never go away. It’s a silent struggle, you just hope people would stop asking you about.

Then there are all the firsts that occur after the passing of a loved one. The first day, the first week, the first month, the first holiday, the first birthday, the first anniversary, then the first year of them being gone from our lives. These firsts go deeper than that. The first time you heard their favorite song, the first time you reached to call them, the first time you really realized you would no longer make new memories with them. These waves of emotions are intertwined with sadness, happiness and great memories. But the firsts are always hardest.

No matter what stage in life you are going through, you will always experience a First. Embrace the First with both hands and feet, with all your heart and your soul if they are good firsts. Relish in the great memories, get lost in them. As those firsts are the ones you will fall back on, and cling to when you are going through your hardest firsts.

I am so grateful to have been VERY PRESENT in all my firsts. Being present in the NOW, captures a lifetime of memories to hold on to. Be present in all your visits, all of your conversations. Soak in the faces of those around you, feel the love as you experience life. Because all those moments become memories.

May you fill your soul with love and laughter. May those memories carry you when the moments get hard and remember the amazing firsts that created those lasting feelings inside of you.

Remember feelings change based on your perspective, maybe we just need to change the camera lens. Focus on the good when you need to get through the bad.

Choose Joy and Embrace Life Always!