Her before you

My heart broke as I saw the pain in your eyes and your quivering lip. I felt helpless and sorry. Even though you were a complete stranger, I wanted to help you through your darkest hour.

You tried so eloquently to explain the background. You took regular breaks to regain your strength and tell your story.

With every detail you offered, I became more convinced that guilt was dictating you. But as things unravelled I knew that that beast had no place in your tale.

I was there to listen. I told you this regularly as you looked to me for validation. I was a stranger to you also but we were closely connected by this season.

Not one tear broke from the pools in our eyes but we were both close as you held onto mine like she was your own. It was clear that you didn’t want it to end as precious memories of her overtook you.

We parted ways but our meeting left a footprint on my soul. Your quiet and broken voice still echoes in mind. I cannot seem to shake it.

You have sent your two year old daughter to live with your parents in India for a year to give her a life you cannot give her here just yet. You have sacrificed your heart to give your child the best.

As you count down the days until you reunite, know that you are an incredible mother. A mother whose love has no limits and whose selflessness is admirable.

When you finally reunite and continue to tuck your daughter into bed each night, over time this trying period will eventually be just another chapter of growth, for you and for her.

This is dedicated to the mother I met recently. A mother who is faced with incomprehensible circumstances yet is doing all she can to give her daughter the best case scenario. She is an inspiration. May we all take something from this.