Spring is in the air – although in Chicago we haven’t felt much Spring in the air, things are certainly in bloom. And it’s time after such a long, cold winter.

I love Spring. It just feels good. Fresh. I love watching the trees bud and the flowers burst out of the ground. It just makes me smile. You, too?

I find that in Spring, people naturally start to refresh – take on certain new projects, set new goals, organize, lose weight…press the reset button.

I looked up the word renewal and one of the definitions read: the state of being made new, fresh, or strong again. How apropos as you may be heading down a new path after years of infertility, waiting, fall-throughs or setbacks of any kind. Or maybe, you’ve just become a mother for the first time or added another child to your family. Spring is a time of renewal. YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Springtime in Chicago

I, for one, found myself signing up to participate in a 28-day detox program, which, if you know anything about me, is absolutely absurd. I LOVE to eat everything and a lot of it! It was time to get healthy though, and kick-start my weight loss. I mean, really, I could more than afford to drop a few lbs. I see you shaking your head (ok, I can’t really see you – and I realize not ALL of you are shaking). But besides my own desire to drop a few pounds, I have more than myself to think about now, and being a single mom especially, the thought of my health failing me “weighs” on me. As I write this, I’ve just completed my second week, and I feel fabulous (and dropped weight)!

In fact, waiting families always want ideas on how to survive the wait. A detox might be a great way to fill up the wait time after you’ve been matched, or if you are waiting to be matched. It takes a ton of planning, which may be the perfect thing to shift your focus, and you will feel awesome when your baby arrives. Let me know if you want to try it, and I can tell you about the one I’m doing!

But I digress.

One of the most difficult things about Springtime for waiting adoptive parents (especially if you don’t have other children), is Mother’s Day. There is a sense of longing that you experience, maybe anger or depression and at the very least, with hopes that next year will be your first Mother’s Day as a mom.

The definition of the word hope: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Please, don’t ever lose hope. That “certain thing” WILL happen.

As you approach Mother’s Day this year, pay attention to how you are feeling and acknowledge those feelings. Maybe write them down. In fact, you will be so happy with yourself one day if you journal your entire journey – it’s not too late – you can start now!

Exercising is always a great way to release any negative feelings you might have and help you to feel better.

Big Bear HugReach out for support. If you are part of a support group, don’t skip the meeting that week. Call a friend who you can talk to, who understands what you are going through, for some extra encouragement.

And my favorite, give someone a big, long, bear hug! Research shows that hugging (and also laughter) is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress. It can increase oxytocin and serotonin…all “feel good” things. A hug ALWAYS makes me feel better.

For other coping strategies, check out my blog from last Mother’s Day.

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!
~Sitting Bull

Continue to move forward with love in your heart and you, too, will see the results of that love!

Happy Spring!

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