***GUEST POST*** Debbie Dryburgh - Old Friends!

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"Lynn has been my friend since we were only 12 years old  We've been through a fair bit together. But never did I think one of of us would have to find the strength that my best friend has.

She once told me "we spend our teens and early 20's doing everything possible to not get pregnant.  We think when I'm ready to have babies it'll just happen". At this point Lynn knew that her journey to becoming a mum was not going to be quite that simple.

Over the next few years life was busy... We had the kind of friendship that meant we saw each other just once/twice a year, but when we did it felt like we saw each other every week..... Or so I thought.

I knew Lynn and Adam were struggling to have their own baby, whilst I was sitting at home with my 2girls..... But I never realised the extent of the journey life had sent them on, or the pain they were enduring throughout this.  We had drifted apart in such a way that Lynn couldn't share one of the biggest fights of her life me.

Finally we learned that Lynn was pregnant with Lucy and I couldn't have been happier for her and Adam.  Even then though, we still struggled to find time to catch up.  I remember meeting up with Lynn and finally seeing her massive baby bump.   I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.... but I quickly realised that I had missed out on so much already. I remember my heart breaking when she explained about Lucy's condition and wondered what the future had in store for my thom-thoms.

My "old" pal!
When Lucy arrived I remember feeling relief... The same relief that anyone would have when they've learned that a baby has arrived safely.  But I also remember fear, what happens next?  I wanted to meet her straight away, I was desperate for cuddles. I waited until they were all home safely and settled and eventually got to meet her.  It was one of the best moments in my life.... She felt like one of my own.  The happiness in my friends' eyes showing off their little girl was a moment I'll never forget.
Our crazy kids!!

 Our wee lady Lucy has since shown us all so many times that she'll fight everything the world will fling at her!!  She's absolutely amazing!!!  Lynn and I laugh now that I let her do everything I wouldn't let my own girls do.... "Lynn remember when you used to say.. she's fine leave her.... about my girls??" Now it's my turn haha.

 Amongst everything that Lynn has had to find strength and courage for along the way, she's found time to put together her blog.  I can tell she wants her family's experience to be something positive, and to offer a window of help and support to others who may be going through a similar situation.

 I love seeing there's a new blog.  I click on the link immediately and when I read it I feel a mixture of emotions:

 Guilt - I feel guilty that I wasn't there for her when she needed me most, that I couldn't be a better friend at the lowest points in her life.

 Sadness - there have been many tears reading through the posts, the blogs speak for themselves.... If you've read them you'll have cried (or your clearly not human! Lol)

 Happiness - there's a lot of fun in those blogs too..... So many fun memories for her and her family

 Pride - proud of everything about my best friend -  her strength, her courage and her ability to use her pain for good.  Proud of the fact that even at the worst times she got up each day and carried on when some wouldn't have been able to.

 I know Lynn didn't start this blog to make friends/family feel guilty/sad though.  She didn't set out to make us feel worse or better about ourselves.  It's not about us, it's about them.... My thom-thoms and others like them who are fighting this fight.

The blogs weren't specifically written for me, but here's what I've been able to take from each installment...... An insight, a window into a part of her life that I missed out on, an understanding into the biggest fight of her life.

I am so proud of Lynn, Adam and Lucy, of everything they have overcome and everything they continue to overcome. I love them.... My best friends.... My family!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

One of our slightly better "drunk"pics!!!

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