Happy Mother’s Day
Dear Mothers,
A very Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Today is a celebration of all our various victories.
As mothers, we all have gone through these FIVE phases:
Conception, Pregnancy, Delivery, Post-Natal and the part I like to call, Reality!
A. CONCEPTION: (The point our lives changed but we didn’t quite realize or understand it)
World: “Wow, you have a bun in the oven” (insert all the happy emojis)
Us: A very happy moment coupled with a lot of hormonal and emotional changes, in short, your own body is protesting and sort of ganging up on you.
B. PREGNANCY: (The point where our bodies, mind, spirit, and anxiety started growing, but we were so fixated on our bumps and the baby’s kicks)
World: “Wow! Look at that glow you have”, “Your bump is so cute”
Us: “First of all, who is this woman, looking back at me in the mirror? I need bigger clothes, so why do i hate all my favorite foods? WHO IS COOKING CHICKEN….AND WHY!!!!!!!”
“Sleep is not so relaxing anymore, can I please sleep standing? Wait, I just went to pee, how did my bladder get so full again? Maybe I should sleep in the bathroom!!!”
“Everything makes me cry”.
“Sneezing (and/or coughing) is really a bad idea, cos my bladder now has a mind of its own”.
“I haven’t felt baby move or kick in the past 5 seconds” *picks up the phone to dial 911*. Walks from room to the kitchen, heart starts thumping, like you just ran a marathon *picks up the phone to dial 911*…..
C. DELIVERY: (The point where extreme anxiety, excruciating pain, and indescribable joy meet)
World: Awwwww!!! Congratulations, your baby is so cute”
Us: I’m in so much pain and I cant seem to express it enough.
I’m so exhausted. I need to be strong for my baby.
My baby is here, now i know what love means. My heart now lives outside my body! I’m so happy, there are really no words to qualify it, my heart is so full!
My body feels light, Ok maybe now i can sleep…if only.
D. POST-NATAL: (Recovery and the point where the previous 9-10 months start to make sense and the rest of your life more confusing)
WORLD: “You look so good for someone who just had a baby.” “Exclusive Breasfeeding is just the best”
US: “I no longer know what sleep means”.
“Breastfeeding is so painful, but I love that I can feed, nurture and bond with my baby.” Day 4 breastfeeding, Baby latches on, Mom yells in pain.”
“Baby is crying I’m confused”. “Maybe if I’m able to sleep, the world would be a better place”.
“Am I losing myself or my mind?” “How can I be the best mom ever?” “Am I good enough as a mom?”. “Will I ever get it right?” “I feel overwhelmed, Everything is happening at the same time”. “I just want to disappear”.
Baby poops *googles poop color*….at a point *googles “what is the meaning of life and being a mom?”*
E. REALITY: (The point where you no longer think, you just act! a different day, a different battle….and Victory)
World: You are such an amazing mom.
Us: “I really have no idea what or how I’m doing.”
“Sleep has deserted me.”
“This belly flab maybe here to stay.”
Blessing has a new meaning: Baby smiles, first set of teeth, baby crawls, first steps, birthdays, first day at school (and every day)….seeing them grow and excel.
I listed just a few of the different moments, simply because it’s practically impossible to mention or remember them all. Not forgetting that we are all warriors and victors at every stage. The journey is dynamic to each individual, so much so, even for the individual, it is different for every baby. Everyone has a different story for each stage.
This is where you realize that from the moment you put to bed, you started living for more than yourself, your career, goals, dreams, and aspiration now revolves around your family. You cook and eat last (although, you taste first), first to wake up and last to sleep. You exist to make sure everything and everyone stays perfect.
Today, as a fellow mom, I want to congratulate you on coming so far and doing such an incredible job. You are the most selfless creature ever made, equipped with superhuman powers and the biggest heart ever. Even though we are so many, we are also so very unique and the most powerful and complex form of nature. There are components of us that scientists can never replace: breastmilk, ovaries, womb, and most important of all, our Strength, Heart, Will, and Resolve. Our brains are wired to do several things concurrently and effortlessly so.
We don’t often get to the point where we feel special and that’s just because we rarely take the time to pause, we are always on to the next thing.
So again, we at HWHQ wish you a Happy Mother’s Day and we celebrate you everyday and especially today, you are such an enigma and you should wake up, feel, be conscious of and operate in that knowledge and power every single day.
