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Transcript

My Beautiful Miracle · Divas That Care Network

• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Well, hello everyone, and welcome back to Divas at Care.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_01: My name is Candace Gift.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_01: If this is your very first time tuning into the Divas, a huge welcome.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_01: We are now in our 13th year, and we've been doing, we're actually listening to in over 30 countries around the world.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_01: So honestly, it is such an honor to be able to continue to be doing this and have the opportunity to chat with amazing women from around the world.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_01: Today I'm really excited.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we're going to be launching our brand new anthology, Our Mothers, Our Daughters.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_01: And I have the privilege of interviewing a couple of our contributors today.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_01: So I'm really excited about that.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_01: Today I'm going to be introducing Jennifer and Lauren Harum.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm so excited to be talking to you ladies.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_01: So welcome to the Diva Zat Care.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you so much.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_01: We're so grateful to be on.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_01: My goodness, I am beyond excited that you guys shared your amazing story in our anthology that's coming out.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, we're so excited too.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_01: Well, Jennifer, would you mind uh telling us uh a little bit about yourself?
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um yes.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um I'm you know a mom of of some kiddos that I love dearly.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um a daughter and son are biological children, um, and then a a couple adult sons that uh we adopted by heart um years ago when we fostered them um in foster care.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_02: So we were blessed with that experience first, and then Lauren was our first biological child um that was born in 1999, so she's 23 this year.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_02: So yeah, it's just been an amazing journey as a mom.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_02: And prior to that, I was a social worker um first and just loved working with children and families and just had a passion for helping others.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um and so my my life dramatically changed um when Lauren um came into our life um as our firstborn um being a a premi.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_02: So since then it's just been an amazing adventure and just uh a lot of learning and exploring and growing, and and it's just been amazing.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_02: So um my husband and I, we've been married, we just celebrated 30 years.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_02: So we uh are just loving life and and living um and just grateful.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_02: So that's me in a nutshell.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_02: I mean uh just helping others.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_02: We as a family we love animals, love nature, and uh love to be outside and just kind of discovering and and experiencing every day.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_02: So that is amazing.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_01: Congratulations to you.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_01: I love that.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_01: I love hearing stories like that, and I'm so honored that you and Lauren are on today's program that you've shared your story, and it is it's absolutely amazing.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_01: Um I just wanna I don't want to give too much information, like I had said before to you, but would you mind sharing a little bit about or maybe having Lauren say a little bit of something to what the story is about?
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_02: She's gonna want me to lead a little bit, and then she's definitely gonna, you know, pipe in.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_02: Um but she's she's very humble and uh she's she's just a miracle.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_02: Um she was, you know, we thought we were kind of full term and everything was gonna be okay when when I delivered at 36 weeks, um, but she came out, you know, surprising us all, and she was uh a three-pounder and uh had apparently kind of slowed down around 33 weeks in the womb.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_02: And so it was it was a big surprise when she came, um, and she immediately needed some support.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_02: And um being our firstborn, you know, it was all kind of you know unexpected and quick, and you just don't know, you know, when it's your first time, but ended up being just a total miracle.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so she just came in uh as a firecracker and uh you know has just taught us so much.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_02: And I would say um, you know, the biggest thing I I love about this this book and and the mission you're kind of um doing with it is just uh really embracing, especially as a mom and daughter, uh, just the journey that um, you know, letting go of of whatever the boxes are and the expectations and whatever you know we've kind of been told or learn along the way, um, especially as a social worker, you know, I per picked up a lot of book knowledge and and a lot of um titles and and labels and and that type of thing.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_02: And what I've learned um over our you know last 23 years, um this amazing experience and and journey is um everyone is unique and everything is perfect.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_02: Like there are no mistakes, and the way it all happens, um, the way God designed it, the way nature, you know, um designed it is is absolutely perfect for whoever that is or the family or whether it's biological or you know, just you know, through your heart, um we're all like connected for a reason.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_02: And um letting go of the labels and the limitations.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um my biggest lesson, especially the last few years, is really letting go of like the expectations.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um, whatever man-made expectations have been kind of told to us or taught.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_02: It's like I've just kind of like slowly through Lauren and and really watching her blossom and kind of blow everybody away with um going beyond what was you know told um was gonna be or whatever her um accomplishments or outcomes.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_02: Um the sky is the limit.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_02: And so as we kind of went through those early first years um and kind of getting a lot of info and and professionals kind of guiding us, you know, we started to really go within and and see that um we had to let Lauren drive that.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_02: We had to let Lauren show us because she knew exactly what she wanted to do and what she could do.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_02: It was the limiting belief um that frankly were kind of holding her back.
• 7:22
  SPEAKER_02: Um and that's just uh human nature, I think, especially as um adults and stuff, we tend to, you know, want to fix things or or um I don't know, have some control.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_02: My kid always just taught me that you know life is about letting go and just um allowing God to like blow us away.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_02: And when I say she is really our first miracle, it's because she really changed us for the better.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_02: Um we definitely, you know, went through our ups and downs and like everybody, and you know, I always think, man, you know, it could have probably made that a little easier or whatever, but I've really embraced everything was perfect.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_02: Everything we did was perfect because it was the best we knew at the time, and we learned.
• 8:18
  SPEAKER_02: And um once we just literally put our hands up and said, God, just please, we don't know.
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_02: Nobody knows, and especially I'm gonna be frank, I'm very passionate about saying there's nothing on the external that is the answer or is going to be that magic answer.
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_02: And through each person's experience, we just um we have to experience that and feel what that feels like, and we're learning every day.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but you know, Lauren, there was a lot of limitations and labels put on her.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um a lot of nodes pick up through books and um society.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I can honestly say, I guess as a little sneak peek of what the story you're sharing and the miracle of that book, the whole entire I can only imagine, um collaboration of folk um together, I'm sure, are saying the life is a blessing and everything is like truly God given.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_02: And um three years later, it's like she doesn't have any labels anymore.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_02: She is a child of God and she's a miracle, and she is literally graduating college in May with two associate architecture and engineering design, and she has had an amazing amount of options, and there is no pressure, there's no expectation.
• 9:53
  SPEAKER_02: It's hey, whatever you want to do, whatever she believes God will connect her to the right thing, and that is literally how she lived, and that is new for my husband and I over the years, who you know tried to do everything the right way, right?
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_02: Now she's like teaching us beautiful things and the right things are brought into your path, and it's about not forcing it, just trusting and allowing it.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, as a mom, I I couldn't be more blessed um that she has helped, you know, us in more ways than I feel like we were able to, you know, help her.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_02: But it's been a fun team effort.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_02: What I would encourage just families is everyone's doing the best that we know.
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_02: And just be kind to yourself and you know I love that too.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_02: Because it we're all learning, every day we're learning and you know, our kids are I'm sorry, the best teachers.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_02: And uh we're figuring it out together.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_02: You know, especially special needs folks.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, because there's so much that is put on them that I have unraveled.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um and now I I still am a formal social worker I mean uh yeah, formal social worker license, but now my passion is to truly just encourage folks to empower them to be their authentic self, not you know, put 'em in a box or you know, Lauren had crazy limiting stories that were told to us of what she was gonna become or what she was capable of.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_02: And once I just stopped putting the power in other people's hands, um, I realized a lot of it was just self-inflicted on our parts of trusting others to tell me what my kid could do and was gonna be and you know what I mean?
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_02: So she just it's blown as all away and that's our message.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_02: Uh that's our mission and and we're very big in Special Olympics because that's where she feels very comfortable and very much it's her mission to really um be a part of that committee and encourage other athletes that they, you know, do and do and be anything that they want to be.
• 12:19
  SPEAKER_02: And um she just thrives in that because she loves the physical activity and um it's been really fun to just watch them truly change us, you know, for the better.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_01: So an amazing community.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_02: It is an amazing community.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_02: And I'm I'm very excited about, you know, the the things that are beginning to really happen with letting go of the you know, limiting the leak or also, whether it's special needs or not.
• 12:53
  SPEAKER_02: But um God God just He doesn't make mistakes, you know.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_02: He's just absolutely a perfect um you know, creator in every aspect.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_02: So it's just knowing that his design is what we want to continue to strive for within.
• 13:14
  SPEAKER_01: Thank Jennifer, that everybody is going to love your story.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_01: It is so inspiring.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_01: I love everything that you say, but it's the truth.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_01: And people need to hear that.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_01: And you you're so inspiring just on this program alone.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_01: And I know that you and I are gonna be chatting a lot more, and I hope that you come on the program when we can have a longer conversation about all the different things that you've been through.
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_01: And my a friend of mine um a hashtag out there, and and it I love it because it says hashtag God for the win.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_01: And I I completely love that because it is so true, and there's so much power out there, and your story is going to inspire so many more families.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_01: Get rid of those labels, but also to realize that they're human and we all make mistakes, and we're doing the best we can with what we can at that time.
• 14:01
  SPEAKER_02: Right.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_02: I love that.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_02: I'm so excited.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_02: And I am so excited to so excited about whatever's developing.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_01: So oh my gosh, it has just been a pleasure.
• 14:11
  SPEAKER_01: I am just so excited for everybody to read your uh contribution to the book because it is, as I said, it is so beautiful, guys.
• 14:19
  SPEAKER_01: You've got to go check this out.
• 14:20
  SPEAKER_01: Any last minute things that either you or Lauren want to chat about before we end today's program?
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_02: I think we're yeah, I think we feel really great about everything.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_02: Um she said no, and that's just because Lauren is very humble, and she's smiling, and she has Special Olympic Soccer in 30 minutes, and so she's already ready to go, got her ponytail on, and she is focused on that, but she is sitting here smiling ear to ear.
• 14:49
  SPEAKER_02: So um I I just love everyone that is listening, and I'm so grateful um for you know this opportunity.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_02: Uh totally.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_01: And Lorian is also.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_01: Oh my goodness.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_01: Well, thanks both of you so much for being a part of this.
• 15:07
  SPEAKER_01: I am truly grateful and blessed that you were able to do this with us, and I can't wait.
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna be sharing this program with all of our tribe out there so that they get to know you guys also.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_01: And hopefully they'll be able to follow you on you know your social media out there because that that's such an amazing accomplishment, Lauren.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_01: Congratulations with your everything that's going on in your life right now.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
• 15:29
  SPEAKER_01: And I hope that you both do come back on the program again in the future.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, we absolutely will anytime.
• 15:37
  SPEAKER_01: Perfect.
• 15:38
  SPEAKER_01: And I want to do a big shout out to all of our listeners.
• 15:41
  SPEAKER_01: This new anthology, Our Mothers, Our Daughters, is going is available right now for pre-sale, Kindle and Kobo and all that.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_01: And it's also available on Absolute Love Publishing.
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_01: And I can't wait for all of you guys to support us on our launch day of May the 9th.
• 15:58
  SPEAKER_01: And there's gonna be a lot of stuff out there.
• 15:59
  SPEAKER_01: So thank you again, Lauren and Jennifer.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you to all of our amazing listeners out there, and please remember to do something kind.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, everyone.