On June 27, 2014 our dear friend and midwife, Thalia, passed away.
I don't really have the words to write that will make you understand what an amazing woman she was and how many people's lives she changed for the better, but I felt that I should at least try even though it will come up short. It just needs to be recorded, even if my words feel completely inadequate.
I was shocked when Thalia actually agreed to travel halfway around the world to deliver Isaiah 3 years ago. We didn't know each other very well then, and it was her first time doing that kind of thing, but she was very excited to come. We loved having her stay with us. She was the perfect guest. She loved learning about Turkey - the language and culture - and she especially loved meeting new people. Isaiah's birth went perfectly (he was born right on his due date) and when he was a week and a half old Thalia returned home. We missed her a lot after she left, you certainly do get to know someone well after they live with you for 3 weeks.
Not only did she make the trip to Turkey once, but she agreed to come AGAIN when I told her I was pregnant with Brooks. She sacrificed a lot in coming and she even stayed longer than she had to. She was with us for a month, but sadly ended up not being here for his birth. I won't get into the details now, but you can read about it if you click here.
Now I'm looking over old emails from her and crying . . .
Well, I got to see Isaiah and hear his little gruff 2 years old
trying to be 20 years old voice! He looked so BIG compared to the
baby in the carrier. And I saw you and your happy and rested
looking face (are you?) and I got a glimpse of Joel with the boys.
So sorry about the connection. We are in the midst of horrible
thunder storms and tornado warnings and so that might be a large
part of the problem. I'll try back soon!
All is well here--I washed dishes by hand and thought of you; I ran
a huge, deep, and very hot bath of water for a bath and thought of
you; I put on the same clothes for third day in a row and thought of
you; I bought carrots, onions, lettuce, and other fresh veggies and
thought of you; I bought 8 large nice looking sweet potatoes and
thought of Joel; and...well you get the picture--I'm thinking of you
all often and feel so connected.
Still just feeling so thankful and good about how everything turned
out! It was for the greater need/good and that was for Joel to get
to catch this baby! I hope he is as happy about it as I am thrilled
for him...we often let the dad's catch even when we are there and I
know it creates a very special bond for husband and wife...as well
as for Brooks and Daddy. And just know that the little "church" on
the Hill came together in a special way.
Love to all,
Thalia
Some of my favorite memories of Thalia:
One of Thalia's last nights in Turkey with us we enjoyed sitting by the campfire in our backyard. She was asking our kids if they knew what to do if they caught on fire and then she proceeded to show them how to "stop, drop and roll." It was so funny. I will never forget how we all laughed so hard as she rolled around on the ground with the kids. I love how Thalia loved children so well. She wasn't afraid to get down on the ground and play or act silly and goofy with them!
She was very intentional. She was so good at keeping in touch with me through email and Skype, even when I wasn't, and she really cared about what was going on in my life. Even though she was very busy and had a lot going on, she always made time for me.
When she hugged you, she REALLY hugged you and didn't let go very quickly. And the last hug I ever had from her was when she was leaving our house, empty handed, so to speak. She had come to deliver Brooks, but things didn't turn out as we planned, and as we gave one final goodbye hug, we were both crying.
She loved life and experiencing new things. It was so fun to have her visit Turkey because she just LOVED learning about the culture and people and wasn't afraid to try new things and have new experiences. She was very brave and independent.
Thalia was SO much more than just my midwife. She was such a special person in my life and the way she loved me and my family was so amazing. She was such a caring, selfless, tender-hearted person. So full of faith and trust in God. I learned a lot from her and I am a better person for having known her. She was like a second mom to me and like a grandma to my kids and we all miss her so much!
