This is for all mothers.
This is for you,
Mothers.
You who wake up every time you hear a thunder before your terrified child calls you at 3 o'clock in the morning.
You whose coughs and sneezes have now been passed on only to have your child feeling better the next day.
You who eat your kids' leftover for your breakfast.
Whose coffee may always be cold.
Whose hair didn't get combed and you barely put on your socks.
Your two-minute refuge in the bathroom.
A moment of quiet in your car while you wait for your kids.
Mothers who have stretched your bodies and skin.
Mothers who adopted.
Mothers who have been chosen.
Mothers who have no labels and still mother other humans.
Mothers who try and try day after day with no prizes or award-winning speeches to give.
I know that you never seem to have enough time.
Enough time to comb your hair.
Enough time to listen to all the stories your kids are telling you.
Enough time to finish that coffee.
Enough time to cuddle.
Enough time to just sit alone and watch movies.
Enough time to do yoga.
Enough time to read.
I know that sometimes you feel lonely without being alone.
I know that you mourn for the body that does not resemble what you had before.
I know that even though you love your family,
Sometimes you want time alone.
With a cup of tea and a quiet afternoon light shining through the window and fall asleep until you naturally wake up feeling refreshed.
I know that sometimes you're too tired to be the wonder woman and save the day.
Take in a deep breath and let out a long sigh.
Again,
Take a deep,
Deep breath in and let out an audible sigh.
Find a soft,
Tender spot in your heart and hold it dearly.
Ask this question to yourself.
What do you need right now in this moment?
Rest.
Connection.
Touch.
Intimacy.
Freedom.
Whatever it is,
Just hold that need tenderly in your heart.
Acknowledge that need,
Let it know that you know it exists,
That you see it,
That you feel it.
Sit with it and breathe into it without rushing into the solutions.
Just acknowledge that it is there and it sits deep within you.
You embody love itself,
But you are also a human being with pouring rain and raging storms within you.
Mothers,
You are not super humans.
You are a human being with a tender heart who needs help and support,
Nurture and care,
Love and belonging.
Mothers,
You are not alone.
A million other mothers know how you feel.
You are not alone.
You have strength within you,
Strength that does not come from our physical bodies,
Strength that no one can deny.
But take this moment to connect,
To love and nurture yourself.
Find courage to ask for help when you need it.
Find strength to acknowledge your worth when others shame you.
Find tenderness when you don't feel alive anymore.
You are a magnificent being and you are not alone.
Now breathe.
Breathe with care.
Breathe with love for yourself.
Tell every part of your body and soul that you love them.
You are love itself.
Breathe and free the parts of you that are holding on.
Nurture the tired you.
Breathe love to all corners of yourself and cherish yourself without judgment.
You are worth all the love and more that you give to others.
You are worthy of love.
You,
Who sit right now in this moment,
It is not negotiated,
It is not situational.
Right now,
In this moment,
Exactly who you are.
You are worthy of all of the love.
So breathe.
Let your fear,
Shame,
Judgment and anger go.
Let it leave your body and your soul as you breathe out.
Breathe in light.
Nurture and joy back into your body.
Breathe out tired soul with tenderness.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
And welcome back the light within.
Know that you can always come back to this place when you need it.
Whether you're driving,
Cooking,
Listening to stories,
You can come back to this place.
A place of love within yourself.
Stay here as long as you like.
And when you are ready,
Don't hold back from loving yourself.
For you are love itself.
And from that place,
And that place only,
Light shines out.
