Mid Life Melanin MaMa

2020 A YEAR!

December 31, 2020

What a Year it has been.

The old song playing on repeat in my head is WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES...

10 days into 2020 Zi’Joy was paralyzed with a little know virus that affects the Spinal Column called AFM Acute Flaccid Myelitis only affecting new born babies to teens worldwide. She is 1 in 1,000,000 that is still shaping her journey.

Then Covid hit Then Work from home restrictions. The civil unrest the hospital visits and OT & PT therapy sessions. The Shutting down of my beloved city Chicago then the world. The fight for equality and Black Lives matter the protest. The closing of Theaters.

It was all so heavy.

Then the personal victories

Being able to move her legs then lift them then stand then walk then run. The birthdays that are just a few weeks apart 3 & 46 . The celebrations of milestones Drs never thought possible. Appearing on the Dr. Oz show to Advocate for Children of AFM. The smiling the unity the faith hope and love that is inherent in all 3 year olds. Teaching her mama to see miracles daily and to fight and find courage in the daily journey. Finding my style and becoming a minimalist.

What a YEAR THIS HAS BEEN.

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Posted in the General category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

22 Comments

  • kkards replied 3 years ago

    Happy New Year to you and the little princess. I’m sure that even more than most of us, you are ready to turn the page on 2020. Onward and upward to 2021, may it be filled with joy, health and happiness for you, Zi’Joy, and the rest of your family and friends. 

  • replied 3 years ago

    Love these :) You are Warriors! Happy New Year :)

  • Janet replied 3 years ago

    I love the strength and determination in her little face! You’ve had such a year. Pics 9, 13, and 15-16 make me so happy. I am sending you all good wishes for more happiness and health in 2021!

  • Helena replied 3 years ago

    My mantra is, may 2021 be a kinder year. You so deserve it Ledonna and so does Zi'Joy ... your warrior spirits are inspiring, but you deserve a break from the war. May the year be a peaceful one for you and your baby girl xoxo

  • Bijou replied 3 years ago

    You two are simply amazing. #16 is such a great photo and even more wonderful to see how high Zi’Joy is jumping. TG has said it best, I hope 2021 is an easy year for you both.

  • rachylou replied 3 years ago

    Hej! Wait! Dr Oz! You and Zi are so strong, leading the way and looking fab every step. Many blessings in the New Year! :)

  • Jane replied 3 years ago

    6 is the best warrior princess outfit - camo and florals!

    Beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead.

  • Suz replied 3 years ago

    This post brought tears to my eyes. WHAT a year you have been through -- the emotional highs and lows must have been extraordinary! And just look at Zi'Joy -- she is amazing. 15 and 16 completely stole my heart. Look at the two of you. Look at her strength and spirit. 

    Hoping 2021 is a year of jumping, climbing, running, soaring for you both. 

  • Joy replied 3 years ago

    What a year! You and Z’joy are both amazing. We lost some family members to the virus and others are still struggling with recovery and a new normal. May 2021 be year filled with healing.

  • JAileen replied 3 years ago

    I didn’t realize this started in 2020.  It seems like a million years ago.  I’m so glad she can walk and run again. I hope 2021 is better.

  • Jenni NZ replied 3 years ago

    Great write-up Ledonna and beautiful pics. What a hard year for you and Zi-Joy. You both look wonderful in these pics though. Lovely to see her jumping again. 15-16 are my favourite pics.
    Can’t quite see you as a minimalist yet xx

  • SarahD8 replied 3 years ago

    What a year, indeed! I'm so glad to hear that Zi'Joy has recovered so much. Wishing you peace, health, safety, and ease for 2021!

  • Jaime replied 3 years ago

    Wow! I am blown away by everything you and Zi'Joy have been through this year. Truly the triumph of spirit. Have a wonderful new year!

  • Kate replied 3 years ago

    You and Zi'Joy have amply demonstrated the meaning of faith, resilience and Joy in this past year.

    Happy New Year, Ledonna and Zi'Joy!!

  • Jessikams replied 3 years ago

    YES! Incredible strength!

  • Ledonna N. replied 3 years ago

    Thank you all so much for reading and supporting us over the years. Making space for my little fashionista Zi’joy and our valley moments as well as our mountain top experiences. May 2021 be kinder to us all

    I’m 46 I remember being a kid and could not see past 2000 now look at us. We made it

  • celia replied 3 years ago

    Happy New Year!
    Seems like you had a very complicated 2020 but are up for the challenges you face. And looking fabulous with your awesome little one.
    Wishing you a great 2021.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Such joyful pics that warm my heart! 

    Ledonna, you are always an inspiration because you always move forward with a good attitude and full heart. No matter what, you find the strength. Thank you for sharing your KILLER fabness with us. 

  • Gretchen replied 3 years ago

    What a year for you. I know you had some deep valleys. but seeing the joy in 15-16 is inspiring. On to 2021 for the warrior princess and mama!

  • LaPed replied 3 years ago

    What a year indeed, and what an incredible set of images. I love photos 8 and 9 next to each other: the power of protest, the power of quiet reflection. Hugs to you and Zi'Joy -- you are both so strong.

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

    So awesome to see her declaring herself and her power! She is learning to be unstoppable. <3 Love her classic little kid is-it-a-smile-or-is-it-a-grimace in the BW BLM pic. I wish you both goodness and joy throughout the new year.

  • madeline replied 3 years ago

    Thank you for sharing all the photos that capture the indomitable spirit you and your daughter possess. Yes what a year! I wish for you both a smoother one. Peace, health and happiness and oh yes-more fab outfits!

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I'm a 44 year old Mid Life Melanin MaMa with my beautiful daughter who just entered her toddler years. I hope you will join us honor fashionable and Thrifty Adventures. As we discover a life that is full of fashionable color and joy. We hope to inspire you, make you think, but most importantly make you smile. So I invite you to Journey with us on this thing we call life.