MOPS

The first meeting of this MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) year kicked off the day after we returned from Wisconsin.  I had already missed a mom's only meet-and-greet as well as the first playdate with the women and children at my table but I was bound and determined not to miss the first official meeting of the year.  Nicole and I were both tired from our long drive back to Texas the day before but a morning filled with new friends seemed like just what the doctor ordered.

I knew from starting MOPS last year that the first meeting is always a little chaotic.  Similar to church nursery, the kids (all 5 and under) play in classrooms with dedicated and caring childcare workers while the moms meet together over breakfast and talk about a plethora of topics related to motherhood.  Nicole had phenomenal teachers last year who genuinely loved her and cheered her on as she spoke her first words, took her first steps and found her voice as a kind friend to all.   A new year meant new teachers and as it turns out their new faces, plus our incredibly long wait in line to drop Nicole off (and ultimately the exhaustion from our long trip home) made for a very tearful drop off.  I hate leaving Nicole when she's crying because it makes me feel selfish but Shawn often reminds me that it's good practice for both of us because there will be a day when we send her off to school and our separation will not be optional anymore.   Being the incredibly kind and people-centered girl that she is, Nicole pulled it together in short order and was having a blast trying on all of the discarded bows of her fellow classmates when I came to pick her up.

I entered the the meeting slightly frazzled but completely at peace.  I was deeply aware that one year before I was still brand new to Texas, getting lost on a weekly basis and desperate for some friends that would make my life feel normal and settled.   Standing in the same room one year later I was no longer new to Texas, no longer getting lost on a weekly basis and no longer desperate for friends.  Even though I have far less friends than I thought I would have, I have come to a place where I feel content waiting to make friends.  Through MOPS, the YMCA and the library, I have a circle of women who will willingly check out a new park with me and Nicole or join us for story time but my heartfelt prayer is for friends who know me deeply and support me in meaningful ways.

It's far easier for me to be self-sufficient and to do things on my own than it is to expose my needs and trust others to respond to those needs with care.   But, if I have learned anything from moving far away from the people who love me the best it is that I absolutely cannot let my pride get in the way of true community.  It takes practice to let people in and to allow them to meet genuine needs in my life.  I need people who will take Nicole for me while I go to all of the prenatal appointments that are simply too long or too complicated to have Nicole in tow for.   I need someone who I love and trust to take Nicole last minute when I'm in labor six short months from now and I absolutely need people I can call who will help me when I'm in over my head and Shawn is out of town.  I sincerely believe that genuine community is about far more than just getting my needs met, but being in need is what reminds me to keep praying, keep seeking and keep investing.  I won't make friends if I'm unwilling to show up and I certainly won't make friends if I'm not available to be a friend.

This MOPS year has just begun and even though I'm still trying to remember everyone's name without stealing glances at their name tag, I know that great things are in store for all of us.

I hope you're having a great week!
Love,
Erica