*Written May 4th 2024

We are a week out from Mother’s Day.

This year hits different, although admittedly each year dealing with infertility has hit different this time of year in its own way.

This year I’m adding a year of significantly working on my mental health, coming to terms with difficult truths and diagnoses, which has also included making the very hard decision to go no-contact with my own mother.

This year, while I celebrate those around me who are mothers, many of who are exceptional women and mothers, I also choose to take good care of myself. This looks like creating safe space to feel big things and avoiding spaces that might be triggering.

If we’ve been friends for a while you may have read my previous reflections on the blog on Mother’s Day- which I know have been a connecting point with me to others here who are dealing with / facing / or hurting from the experience that infertility brings to one’s life. I won’t be writing a public reflection this year in an attempt to guard my own heart and protect my peace. I’ve been learning a lot about the mother wound, and this seems to be the wisest way to care for myself this year.

May we all find the nurturing and mothering we need, hope for the future, and may the truly great mothers in the world feel seen, supported, heard, and celebrated beyond measure.