The sweetest valley

Over the weekend, I attempted to "catch up" on some of my favorite blog reads. I realize with the transition to motherhood, there is no catching up. Taking a break from the blogosphere is good for me.

My priority is time with Maggie in this new season of transition.

However, in the moments when I feel alone as I'm home with Maggie and Milton, the dog, I pull out my iPhone and scroll through my feeds on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to see what others are writing/doing.

This post from Nish hit me between the eyes when I read it on Saturday. She was speaking to "those in the valley."

I hadn't really thought about my new season of motherhood as a valley, but I find myself thinking of it as the most glorious valley I've ever walked through. I call it a valley because of the seemingly lonely, weary days I've had the past three weeks as a new mom.

I'm learning a new way of life. It seems a little ironic to feel alone most of the day even though my baby girl is by my side. The lonely feeling comes from being used to having coworkers around or friends checking in on me those last weeks of pregnancy.

But the last few weeks have been so quiet. It's a new rhythm and we're slowly finding our way.

Embarking on the journey of motherhood is like nothing else I've done before. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The sleep deprivation, days without showering, smelling like breast milk and eating the same meal for lunch and dinner (or until it's gone) are all worth it. Worth it for hours spent holding a new life, dreaming about her future and asking the Lord to let me be there for her.

So, if I seem quiet on social media and around this space, it isn't your imagination. I'm embracing the new season and taking it all in. Sharing a sweet picture via Instagram of my daughter is about the extent of my postpartum brain power a lot of days.

If there's one thing I've learned from past valley experiences, you cannot fully appreciate the view from the climb or mountain top, until you've walked through the valley.