Last week I started feeling an acute, sudden (and quite annoying) pain in the middle of my belly whenever I tried to do well, anything.

I’m a doer so this was frustrating to say the least.
Clearly baby had shifted slightly.
There was, and is, a knee (I’m pretty sure it’s a knee) poking me and it is slowing me down as I attempt to get the last few (ok many) things done to prepare for baby and postpartum time.

I’m hearing my voice preaching to my students, “Late pregnancy is a great time to listen to your body and practice SLOWING DOWN.”

I’m trying to listen to the voice.
Moving my body in thoughtful, intentional ways, helping baby find a better position, stretching, resting,
and dancing to songs from the playlist my love made for me before we became parents,
when we were separated by cancer
and a thousand miles,
for an entire summer.
I’ve been listening to these songs again, letting the memories wash over me.

While caring for my sick mother,
missing my love,
these songs kept me going, were my anchor.

Listening to them brings me back to that place of hope,
excitement and fear for the future,
unparalleled love and longing,
joy and sadness,
a constant battle inside my heart.

We’ve created so much since then, him and I.
And I’m still listening.

#34weeks