#DoGood4DJ

While I am currently in mommyhood bliss, this time last year, I was in a much different head space as my sleeping angel DJ's due date approached. It was 3 months after I had suddenly lost my 28 week old baby with no warning. I didn't want to come to dread April 7th every year, so I made a conscious decision to take my lemons of losing a huge part of me and turning them into lemonade. I wanted to use my son's story and spin it in a positive way. So, I came up with the idea for the hashtag #DoGood4DJ. I wanted to use my son's name and legacy to spread love and positivity to total strangers and to the people closest to me. 

Performing a random act of kindness (RAoK) is a concept where you do something kind for someone and the only request you ask of that individual is that they pay it forward (pay it forward = doing something kind for someone else). You don't perform this random act of kindness to get recognition but more so to create a sliver of happiness in a person's day that doesn't expect you to do so. So as we remember my sleeping angel on today, I ask that you my readers would join me and my family as we celebrate DJ's legacy by performing one act of kindness to a person you cross today! It doesn't have to cost money (i.e. help an elder person cross the street, share an umbrella with a stranger, pay a generous tip to your Uber driver or waitress, buy a strangers lunch in line behind you etc.), but just do something unexpected for someone that you normally would not do something for. Then ask the person you performed a random act of kindness for to simply pay it forward!

As my dad says "it's nice to be nice!" You never know how your kind gesture can alter someones day. So, here's to my 1st munchkin DJ! We love and miss you a lot! Mommy will ALWAYS keep your name and legacy relevant as long as I have breath in my body. Use the hashtag #DoGood4DJ to let me know what you did today to spread love! 

#DOGOOD4DJ

Thanks so much for all your support. R.I.H DJ!!!

-Ali aka Mommy

Reflections

This past week I accompanied my husband on a work trip to Fort Walton Beach/Destin, FL. The hotel we stayed at was literally on the beach and the view was simply impeccable. I literally woke up to the scenery, the sounds, and the smells of the Florida Straits daily. Just being around the beach made me begin to reflect on God's glorious wonders. I would wake up in the morning go sit on the balcony and just take in the beautiful sights of the Gulf of Mexico. I would hear the rolling of the waves crashing on the white sands. I would hear and see the seagulls flying around the clear blue sky. I would admire the endless supply of water that ran beyond my eyes reach. Taking in all the natural beauty made me begin to reflect on the 1st half of 2016.

It's been 6 months since my son gained his angel wings (I can't believe we are already halfway done with 2016, one thing is for sure, time does sure fly). From the day I found out I was pregnant with Derrek Jerrell Anderson Jr. (DJ) until the day he left this earth (and hereafter) he has had a permanent place within my heart (and the heart of my husband). I cannot sit here and say that the journey has been smooth sailing. Some days I feel like the weight of the world is crashing on me and I can't take another step while others I am simply grateful that a 1 lb 5 oz bundle of joy chose me and my husband as his parents, what an honor. While we never got to experience him "alive" he has given us life in so many ways. As time moves on and the days, months, and eventually years rack up his memory will forever be imprinted on our minds, hearts, and souls. He has forever changed my husband and I for the better. He taught me to appreciate the little things... the sound of the waves, the site of fluffy white clouds in the sky, the smell of salt by the sea, the feeling of sand between my toes, the continuous breaths I take, and the love and support I receive on a daily basis from my husband, family, friends, and even you, the readers of my blog. He also taught me to stay connected with God because He ultimately is the one who will see you through on your darkest days! Lastly, he taught me to cherish the life I was given. There are so many things that go unnoticed that  we can be grateful for but it's truly all about our perception of the situation. It's all about seeing life through an optimistic lens. 

While I miss my baby EVERY SINGLE DAY (there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him) I cherish the time we were able to spend together and look forward to the day I will see his face again. Until then I plan to live my life with purpose. I WILL chase after all my wildest dreams. I WILL spread love and joy to this dark world, and I WILL make my son proud by being the BEST version of me that I can be! I will always love you DJ.

*As we embark on the second half of this year my prayer for you today is that your second leg of 2016 will be filled with an increase of love, joy, accomplishments of goals, friendship, and sunshine. I pray that your good days outnumber your bad ones. I decree that we will finish the year on top! It's your time to go out and be great starting today! #Finishstrong

Xoxo,

Ali