Exclusive

Have you ever wanted to be special enough to be a part of some exclusive "members only" type of club.  Sure, I did.  Something like that meant you had friends enough to make some exclusive club.  A club where there was something in common that bound you together.
Of course, in my mind I thought it would be something like the love of reading or "Piano Players Anonymous" that brought me into that special exclusive "members only" world.  I never dreamed it would be a club that, when you entered, everyone welcomed and apologized in the same sentence.
When we got Olivia's diagnosis I joined a support group as suggested by a dear friend who's son suffers the same diagnosis as Olivia.  At first I still felt like an outsider.  I was still pregnant and, other than the stress of the unknown, life was fairly uneventful and easy for us.  Others were dealing with hospital admittances, heart failure, and winter lockdown.  I asked some questions but mostly stayed in the background where I felt most comfortable.  Even in this exclusive club I felt like an outsider.  People responded to my questions on facebook but I didn't expect that anyone would remember who I was.
Then Olivia was born.  There was an outpouring from countless women.  I'd only met two of them but many more were letting me know that they were there for me.  They were there to cheer me on as I sat through 5+ hours of my baby's first open heart surgery.  They were there to cheer Olivia on as she fought to recover from having her little heart torn apart and put back together again.  I was shocked in the most amazing way.
Even after all that I was hesitant to get to know these women.  Many offered help and I refused all of them.  Eventually, a few broke through my resistance and forced their beautiful selves into my life.  We have spent nights in hospital cafeteria's binging on chocolate.  We have shared facial girls parties.  We have taken morning trips to the Temple.  We have cried together, for each other, and boosted each other's spirits when we felt we couldn't keep going.  These amazing women have become my nearest and dearest friends in so short a time.  I hate having a reason to be in this exclusive "Heart Mom" club but I am so incredibly blessed to have a way to meet all these amazing women.
To all my fellow heart mom's, I love you all!  I'm only sad I am not able to become besties with all of you...yet.  Good thing this club membership is a life-long one and I'll get my chance.  Thank you for the support, the love, the chocolate, the gabbing, the tips and tricks, the prayers said in our behalf, the strength sent our way, and especially each and every heart hug!