I know what you are thinking....clearly, I've lost my mind!!! What divorcee posts a picture of herself in her wedding gown? I'm not crazy....just hang with me for a quick minute. I promise this will come full circle. I love fashion. Accessorizing. Shopping. It's not 'my life' but it's definitely something I enjoy in life. So naturally, wedding dress shopping was an awesome experience for me. It was my favorite part of the wedding. (And just to clarify, it was my favorite part of the wedding, not the marriage. There's a big difference between a wedding and a marriage...but that's a soapbox to stand on some other day!). What a girl does with her wedding dress is definitely interesting post-wedding day! Some girls participate in a ritual called "Trash the Dress", others preserve it, while still others sell it. It's just a used dress, right? But for me....it wasn't a used dress. It was something I loved...loved shopping for....loved wearing...loved looking at. Until the divorce, I really loved my dress. I thought for certain I would use it to make things for my future children...sentimental mementos for their birth and/or wedding days. Well...obviously that plan went out the window with one swift court date. But somehow discarding the dress still didn't feel right. So I tucked it away for a couple years. Until a few weeks ago when I realized why getting rid of my dress didn't feel quite right and why I saved it all this time. And I tell you....God is so freakin' amazing I can't stand it (Side bar....I wonder if God approves of "freakin" as an adjective to describe Him?!? He's probably cool with it!). I stumbled upon the perfect charity to donate my wedding gown. There is a group in Texas that takes previously worn wedding gowns....cuts them apart and makes outfits for babies. But not just any babies. Babies that will never make it home from the hospital. Little gowns (and onesies for boys!) for parents to dress their babies in as they prepare to take their last breath in the NICU. Now I understand this may sound absolutely horrific and mortifying to some....but for me this is what my dress was made for. For me, this experience is something I am involved on a regular basis as a nurse. For me, this is the absolute perfect full circle. The day I stepped into this gown and fell in love....God knew this love would spread to families in need of a little something to lift their spirits during a horrific time in their lives! God knew enough to keep my heart at peace with my gown so I didn't destroy it. God knew what it would be used for.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." And I know how much every little detail means to families during this experience. The thought of this beautiful gown being cut up into little packages of love...overwhelms my soul. It reminds me God always has a plan. I could not pick a more special, more meaningful, better way to share love through one wedding gown. And I am so incredibly thankful to this charity, the women that take the time to sew each little, tiny gown and the love that is threaded in this circle. A wedding gown, a divorcee, and a onesie, Ashley Lucille http://www.nicuhelpinghands.org/lend-a-helping-hand/angel-gowns/ If you would like to donate your wedding gown: NICU Helping Hands C/O Ideal Partners 6913 Camp Bowie Blvd Suite 181 Fort Worth, TX 76116
3 Comments
Laurie Pfeffer
4/23/2014 12:25:53 pm
I Love You! Seriously, I never knew how truly beautiful you wrote until you started this blog. You're inspiring, intelligent, and absolutely beautiful inside and out! Thanks for the laughs and tears! :-)
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Sandy Hartley
4/23/2014 12:33:00 pm
I got chills when I read this. I never knew such a charity existed. Wow. Having experienced (with you) such situations, I cannot find a more fitting purpose for such precious material. This was awesome!
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Jill
4/23/2014 12:47:00 pm
You seriously amaze me. I've always remembered you having a great soul, and trust me... I'm a good judge of character ;-). But in all honesty, this is ridiculously amazing and your strength and poise is astounding!! Xo.
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Ashley LucilleJust a few reflections about everything God is teaching me in this life...a journey deeper into His purpose for my life. Categories |