In addition to being MLK Jr, day, today is the Jewish holiday of Tu B'shvat (literally translated as 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat) and known as the birthday of the trees. It's a fun, no pressure, no obligation holiday where we acknowledge the beautiful world we get to live in. Many of MLK's historic quotes are about faith and courage so it seems appropriate that when I needed a little extra support, they happen to fall out on the same day.
You can learn more or find some great themed recipes and even a whole themed menu of Tu B'shvat online. I love it because of a few reasons. You can celebrate it simply by snacking on some dried fruit or going all out with platters and blessings and projects if that's your thing. I also like that it's a time to pause and appreciate the beauty of the world. There is so much beauty but sometimes we literally lose the forest for the trees when we're bogged down by the daily minutia.
You can plant a seed in the ground, water it appropriately, leave it in the sunlight for the correct amount of time, and do everything right but ultimately a tree grows because of Hashem. At some point He needs to take over and make the magic that enables nature to follow through.
You can learn more or find some great themed recipes and even a whole themed menu of Tu B'shvat online. I love it because of a few reasons. You can celebrate it simply by snacking on some dried fruit or going all out with platters and blessings and projects if that's your thing. I also like that it's a time to pause and appreciate the beauty of the world. There is so much beauty but sometimes we literally lose the forest for the trees when we're bogged down by the daily minutia.
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| Happy birthday, trees! |
As very personal symbolism, I can't help but think of the similarities to frozen embryo transfers. Everything is set specifically: lining is measured carefully, medication and hormones are all regulated, precise timing is scheduled. Ultimately, though, it will only work if He deems it fit to continue on and become an actual human.
As we get ready for our seventh FET, I can't help but reflect back on the first six that failed, four in miscarriages. I'm terrified and I'm excited and I'm worried and nervous and hopeful. We've done so much in the past year just to get to this point and now that it's almost here I feel like it's a speeding train heading my way. Either it will take us aboard a wonderful adventure or will hit and crush us once again. But even under all the anxiety and worry and feelings of lack of control, there is an underlying hope and wanting to believe that we may have a chance. Every tree starts out as a sprout and that spark of hope feels like the first step we need to get started in being mentally prepared for the next try.
As we get ready for our seventh FET, I can't help but reflect back on the first six that failed, four in miscarriages. I'm terrified and I'm excited and I'm worried and nervous and hopeful. We've done so much in the past year just to get to this point and now that it's almost here I feel like it's a speeding train heading my way. Either it will take us aboard a wonderful adventure or will hit and crush us once again. But even under all the anxiety and worry and feelings of lack of control, there is an underlying hope and wanting to believe that we may have a chance. Every tree starts out as a sprout and that spark of hope feels like the first step we need to get started in being mentally prepared for the next try.
I like this analogy. As I enter the week leading up to my FET transfer, I’m hoping and praying that both of our sprouts take root and grow!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you!
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