Motherhood is a journey filled with love, joy, as well as moments of uncertainty, vulnerability, and exasperation. That journey can be more complicated especially with the challenges of living with a chronic illness. Whether you have your own health projects or taking care of a child with their own health challenges, the road can be arduous, filled with unique struggles that test your strength and resilience every day.
For mothers dealing with chronic illnesses, every moment can feel like a balancing act—a delicate dance between caring for your loved ones and tending to your own well-being.
If you are going through something like this, I see and hear you. I have been there.
Please know that within these challenges lie opportunities for profound healing and transformation.
Remember that you are deserving of love, support, and holistic well-being. Embrace the gentle strength of self-compassion, make your well-being a top priority, and acknowledge that your path to completeness and joy is a reflection of your remarkable inner strength.
When I first became a mother I thought my role was to teach my kids the lessons of life but more and more I’m realizing they are in my life to teach me the most important of life’s lessons.
Some of these lessons are: (1) not to take myself too seriously (2) take time to play and (3) simply be true to myself.
This Mother’s Day, I want to dedicate a poem for you by Mary Oliver called “The Journey” about finding our voice and staying true to ourselves.
The Journey
By Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
What you had to do, and began,
Though the voices around you
Kept shouting
Their bad advice‚
Though the whole house
Began to tremble
And you felt the old tug
At your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
Each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
Though the wind pried
With its stiff fingers
At the very foundations‚
Though their melancholy
Was terrible.
It was already late
Enough, and a wild night,
And the road full of fallen
Branches and stones.
But little by little,
As you left their voices behind,
The stars began to burn
Through the sheets of clouds,
And there was a new voice,
Which you slowly
Recognized as your own,
That kept you company
As you strode deeper and deeper
Into the world,
Determined to do
The only thing you could do‚
Determined to save
The only life you could save.
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Motherhood encompasses a myriad of definitions that extend beyond biological ties or traditional roles. It encompasses the nurturing, unconditional love, and guidance provided by individuals who take on the role of a mother figure.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the women in your life who fill this role!
Are you going through a chronic illness or taking care of a child who is? Email me at news@littlesage.com and let me know. I’d like to hear your story and find ways to support you.