A note of sincere thanks to those (you know who you are : )  ) who wrote me
encouraging notes last night.  I woke up to about 10 emails from friends all
over the world, most whom I 've not met, but all of whom I'd like to. I feel
there is a network of good thoughts, and prayers, and good faith, and this
is the reason I initially started Lactnet in 1995, to create this network
for us all, to talk, discourse, learn, and keep the faith about
breastfeeding.   Maybe it's become more about keeping the faith about
ourselves, at least for me, but I never knew when I birthed this baby, that
it would become my own source of hope in many ways, because where there is
harmony all the time, there is not true thought, not true discourse, and not
true learning. Chaos often comes before something new is discovered, and the
chaos on this list, which often comes in ebbs and flows, is creating a new
energy that will help us all know the way when it comes to the WHO Code, the
rights and wrongs of our profession and our ethics, and who knows, maybe
even the way to go in times of darkness in our own personal travels.
That's what it's been for me. Sometimes I know I throw my hands up and I
say, holy cow, I cannot deal with these posts, and this negativity, and my
kid is sick with C diff, and I am sick with RA, and this is making me
sicker. But I don't stay away long, because it's hard for a mother to ignore
her child for long.  A few days away, some chocolate, some fresh air, some
friends who love you sending emails that go into your heart and boost you
up, and of course, prayers to the power of this Universe, ... Prayers for
those things we cannot and do not how to control, and should NOT be
controlling, will carry us the rest of the way.  We are all in this
together, politics, WHO code.... Discourse, arguments, and new
enlightening... And I, for one, am grateful for it all.

I remain humble. I remain here.  I may not be participating on a daily
basis, teaching those of you who are younger or less experienced than I,
because I am ill and not able to extend to you at this particular moment,
but I will do so in the future, as I can, and I leave that at this moment to
those who have energy, and stamina, and knowledge, like my friend Rachel,
and my  other listmothers, who have so many years of experience both on the
list, and in this work, ...they will help you , they will guide you, and you
yourselves will learn what it is to be a good breastfeeding support person,
and maybe even a better person than you were before you joined. It's not for
everyone, but for those who participate fully and with an open heart, it's
something.  Hopefully, the judgement we place on others will be carefully
and lovingly placed, and our harsh words can be turned into thoughtful ones,
with thought for the PEOPLE on the other end of these words.... On this
list... That's how it always has been..this group has always been
extraordinary in that way.... And we have won prizes for innovation and for
the fact that we usually stay on task without eating our young.  I am PROUD
of you all. Contention never lasts long...


Humbly yours, your Lactnet listmom.... Taking time out to heal, and to
hope... And to bless you all with whatever strength I have. Happy Spring to
those in the N. Hemisphere, and to those down under, have a wonderful
summer/end of summer....

I accept any and all prayers and thoughts and emails, and they help me so
much, and I remain in your debt for participating and being part of this
list. And I thank those people who are now holding you up, on this list,
behind the scenes, with energy that is not paid for but which is deeply and
wholly appreciated by me.

Kathleen Bruce RN IBCLC, listmom, consultant for Medela, consultant for the
women in n. Vermont, and just all around mom. xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

             ***********************************************

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