Sharing with You

Words from Hope Noted Founder, Alisa Krause.

This little life is a reminder of our inherent worthiness just by existing. A precious miracle that came to be even though I was diagnosed three years ago with “unexplained infertility.” And while I have worked to not let that label define my story as a woman, I admit that the diagnosis was hard to accept at times. There were days filled with doubt and hopelessness. I feel for those of you holding both hope and hurt in your hearts right now. With infertility or whatever it may be for you.

Holding both hope and hurt at the same time is tiring. And trusting the process and letting go requires so much intentionality on a daily basis.

Some days I am better at these things than others. It feels unnatural to radically accept the painful things life throws our way. Letting go of control might appear as giving up, but maybe it is actually the opposite of giving up? When we actively choose peace over fear despite the unknowns. When we stop trying to force our own reality and truly live in the present moment. Not abandoning ourselves, but feeling the emotions as they ebb and flow. Trying to keep our hearts open when shutting them down feels like the safer choice.

It’s brutal work and it’s courageous.

I realize my journey to having a family looks differently from so many of yours, and I can’t tell you the reason why we have been given the gift of this biological baby. All I can say is we will treasure our miracle story with thankfulness and wonder. There is no right way to have a family, and I will hold onto hope for you as you uncover your own unique path.

We are all so different and at the same time, we are united in our desire to be loved and feel seen and known for who we are. We want our feelings to be heard and validated. We want our victories to be celebrated and our losses to be mourned. We are worthy of that love we seek. Might we come alongside one another with compassion as we continue finding our own ways? Is there a friend who comes to mind reading these words? Let’s follow those nudges and spread encouragement and hope!

My husband and I are so curious what the future will be like for our family and for this Hope Noted space we share with you.

Our community will inevitably experience some changes as I learn this new part of me called, “mama.” Thank you for your patience and your grace towards me in this season. I will be taking maternity leave starting in September and rely on our Hope Noted Masterminds volunteer team to lead us confidently through to the end of 2023.

I am so grateful for our volunteer team – Amber, Brielle, Julia and Steph – who graciously give their time, energy, and resources to this organization – we wouldn’t exist without you!

And thank YOU – our Hope Noted friends – for all of your continued support! This community continues to evolve in the most beautiful ways. I feel honored to bear witness to the moments in which you show up for one another through life’s ups and downs. I appreciate you all more than I can say.

Sending you my gratitude and holding onto hope with you!

Rain or shine,