I like Dory. In spite of her lack of short term memory, she’s pretty wise. Can you hear her humming to herself right now? “Hmm, hm, hm, hm, hm, hmmmm, hmmmm.” She approaches life with joy, excitement, possibility, and plenty of hope. Who wouldn’t love to be a little more like Dory some days?

My memory is ridiculous right now, so I’m channeling my inner Dory on multiple fronts. Laundry in the wash? Oh, that’s right. Plenty of x,y or z in the house but I put it on the grocery list anyway? Yep. It’s not even all that frustrating, really. Just funny to be so out of my own mind in moments that I can think about the deep, detailed things, but not the small, everyday things. That’s pregnancy and motherhood and life and summer talking all at once.

Just keep _____ could be my motto for everything right now:

Just keep resting. Just keep organizing. Just keep having patience with yourself. Just keep loving your kids well. Just keep praying. Just keep showing up. Just keep swimming…

Yes, even swimming is on the list these days. Ask the kiddos. I did as many summersaults and handstands in the pool today as I could. (We’re going to get this baby in the right position, yet, I tell you.)

And you know what? Of all of the things I’ve done this weekend to move us along in the right direction toward baby? I think swimming with the kids was probably the winner. I didn’t even want to go, honestly. I mean, 35.5 weeks pregnant and a swimsuit aren’t my favorite duo. But it was too hot to stay out of the water, so in I went. And I had some of the best, most treasured times with H and E that I’ve had all week…maybe longer. They thought mom doing summersaults in the pool was awesome (it doesn’t take much to impress, I guess). But we laughed and splashed and the sun and water were good for all. I only wish I could ask baby what he or she thought of my antics, but time will tell.

Just keep swimming. This applies to me, but I imagine it applies to you, too, in whatever season you’re facing right now. Just keep doing the thing that moves you forward, whether it’s big or small. Put on that swimsuit and jump into the pool–literal or figurative, without caring what you look like to anyone else, and so as not to miss out on what life might have for you in the next moment.

Keep on. Dory would agree, I’m sure of it.

hmm, hm, hm, hm, hm, hmmmm, hmmmm,

mm