Remembering Autumn

I remember a day back in Autumn... we had dinner with two wonderful friends, Derrick & Liz. I was blissfully pregnant and it was still warm enough to sit outside. We ate at a lovely Greek restaurant for the very first time. I remember what I had-- a sort of Greek lasagna. My friend Liz had the same.

We talked, joked, and shared in such a wonderful moment. Liz shared through her prayer of thanksgiving before our meal that she was expecting. It took me longer than Ray and once I realized what she had said, I was beaming. We were both pregnant. To think we'd have babies within months of one another who would share experiences together, play together, and be in the same grade at school. Derrick is a CPA, so tax season is his busiest time. They were expecting their baby just as tax season ended! What a joy! Well, that day of expectation is today.

They were the first friends here in Illinois we shared our early pregnancy with over dinner at a Spanish tapas restaurant. We couldn't wait to tell people and we had a feeling these two would become great friends. During my entire pregnancy leading up to their news, I was hoping they would become pregnant, too. I wanted to share this journey with a couple we both greatly admired. And for awhile, we did share that same love and joy new parents have.

And sadly, both of our stories are incomplete. I suppose they are complete, but with endings we so sadly realize as unfortunate. Liz miscarried sweet Autumn, and because of when she was conceived, that became the name of their first baby.

Today, we remember Autumn and all the joy we shared in carrying our babies. Forever loved and never forgotten.