You Are Not Alone

Yesterday, I missed my weekly bible study.  I typically enjoy my Monday mornings.  I am blessed with a reason to get out of the house, delicious treats and coffee, friendship and good conversation with women, and a spiritual boost.  As much as I dread going back to work because I have leave Cameron with someone else, I also dread the end to my Monday Morning meetings.

And yesterday I wasn’t able to go.

My reason for not being able to go wasn’t terrible or negative in any way.  I’m actually hanging out at my parents’s house for the week with my youngest sister.  I love being home and spending time with my family.  When I’m with them, I feel myself being replenished in ways that I don’t get from anyone else.

But yesterday, I still kind of felt down… tired… alone.

I so wasn’t alone.  Not once during the day.  And my feelings could have been attributed to the exhaustion of taking care of a sick baby.  But I don’t think that’s it.

I think it is that I missed my connection with other women.  With other Moms.  With friends.*

Because, I think as women, and more so as Moms, we need to know that we are not alone in all of this.

When readers tell me that they appreciate my blog, they often mention that it is comforting to get an idea of what motherhood will be like or to realize that someone else is going through the same things.  Comments of “I totally agree” or “I’m right there with you” often pulse through the sinews of the blogosphere as women stand together in solidarity; reaching out in order to not feel so alone in all of this.

As I briefly mourn my usual Monday morning connection with other women, I am also aware that I am not alone.  And neither are you.

To the cute little pregnant girl who is feeling anything but cute right now.  As you roll around in bed trying to get comfortable, and as you count your new stretch marks one by one and as you are worrying that maybe you don’t have what it takes to parent a person happily, healthily and safely into adulthood, you are not alone.

To the new mother trying to understand her new little bub.  As you listen to the cries and as you sit awake at night, as you wonder why your husband just can’t understand what you need, you are not alone.

To the mother grappling with new parenting challenges every day.  As you struggle with the decision to go to work or stay at home, as you begin to discipline, and as you find yourself feeling frustrated more often than not, you are not alone.

To all the women going through things that I have never experienced, you are still not alone.  There are other women who share in your experiences.  Reach out, because maybe they are feeling alone too.

Today, my wish for you is encouragement.  And to know that you are not alone.

*I actually saw my Mom yesterday.  And she is certainly a woman.  And a Mom.  And a friend.  Yet, our relationship is in a different context to the women at my bible study. I share a mother-daughter relationship with her, and I am so thankful for that.  In no way is this blog post supposed to downgrade my time with her in any way.  It was amazing being with her, and I will miss her terribly as she is away for the rest of the week.