Hey darling,
If your heart's been a little full,
Maybe a little fragile,
This one's for you.
I know this feeling all too well as my one and only son graduates.
So I ask you to find yourself a quiet place.
Sit or lie down.
You do not have to hold anything together right now.
You don't even have to be strong.
Just be.
Let it out here with me and with so many other mamas from the past and present walking this road too.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and slowly let it out.
Let's do that again and this time imagine exhaling some of that tightness in your chest.
That swirl of emotion that's been setting heavy.
In through the nose and let it out through the mouth.
Now gently close your eyes or find a soft gaze if you haven't already.
Remind yourself I am here in my body in this moment.
Safe to feel and safe to remember.
And now let's breathe in the truth that your baby,
You're not so little one,
Is stepping into a new chapter and so are you.
Maybe you've been holding back tears or maybe they've been flowing freely.
There's no right way to feel.
You're not dramatic.
You're not silly.
You're a mama whose heart has stretched wide enough to hold the entire journey from first steps to cap and gown.
What a journey it's been.
You've grown with them.
Now let's go back for a moment.
Picture them.
Little shoes,
Chubby fingers,
That laugh,
First words,
First day of school.
A moment when they looked at you like you were their whole world.
Because you are,
In many ways,
You still are.
Now gently place a hand over your heart.
Feel that that's the same heart that's walked beside them every step of the way.
A heart that's loved,
Guided,
Protected,
And cheered.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale,
Whisper to yourself,
I did good.
I did good.
Because you did.
You showed up,
You loved hard,
And even when you didn't feel perfect,
You were exactly who they needed.
Let's take a moment to bless this transition,
Not just for them,
But for you too.
Let yourself feel.
Be with those memories that rush in like waves.
Even as they go,
Your love stays.
What's in their bones?
Their heartbeat?
The way they smile?
You've given them wings,
And now darling,
It's time to let them fly.
But don't forget,
You're still becoming too.
You're growing right alongside them.
This isn't the end of your story,
Just a beautiful,
Bittersweet turning of the page.
So today,
Let yourself feel it all.
Cry if you need to,
Laugh if it bubbles up.
Wrap your arms around your own heart and know that it's okay to grieve and celebrate at the same time.
You've been preparing for this moment and every step of motherhood.
You're not losing them.
You're loving them through yet another transformation.
And look at all the transformations you've already walked through together.
This is just another one for the books.
And you mama,
You're still whole,
Still worthy,
And still needed.
Just in new,
Evolving ways.
Take one more deep breath and hold it.
Exhale slowly and now listen to a few quotes I wrote just for us.
You raised them to fly,
And darling,
That means you were born to soar too.
Even as they walk away in their cap and gown,
They're still walking with everything you poured into them.
Doesn't it feel good to hear that,
Mama?
Now,
A few affirmations to repeat and ground yourself in this moment.
You can say them out loud or to yourself.
There's no done in motherhood,
Only evolving love.
I'm proud of them.
I'm proud of me.
Even as they go,
I grow because my love is the thread that ties our hearts,
No matter the distance.
I want you to hold tight to these,
Darling.
Come back to them anytime,
Especially in the days and weeks and months ahead,
As you walk this road not yet traveled.
When you're ready,
Start to bring some gentle movement back into your body,
Wiggling your fingers and your toes.
Maybe place both hands over your heart and whisper,
I've got me.
I've got them.
We're gonna be okay.
Gently open your eyes when you're ready.
You've got this,
Darling,
And you are so deeply and fiercely loved.
