Bec reminded me of the years we were raising our first babies together. Sometimes those memories sting. They feel sharp somehow. I remember those days like they were yesterday. And I’m still doing diapers technically. But those days were different. The fears and worries were different. But the responsibilities were different too.
Being the middle sister has its perks, so does childbearing for 15yrs or so. I had the privilege to stumble through those early years with my big sister. Literally arm in arm. We were all inseparable. It was and still is how I survive motherhood. We nursed together in the Nordstrom bathroom too many times to count. We went to target to look at decorations and toys. We rarely actually shopped. We had zero extra dollars. But the memories are some of my most warm, and magical.
I got a round two with my little sister. I’m so lucky. I’m doing it again. This time with the sister that doesn’t mess around when it comes to experiencing life. We don’t just look at things we create them. It’s pretty unreal. It just proves my point of this whole ramble, the amount of money, or what you have doesn’t matter when you have your people.
Megan Markle was asked how she’s doing as a new mom in an interview recently, it’s the most beautifully vulnerable response I think I have ever seen. She basically says it’s hard, and thank you for asking. It’s so powerful. She says no one ever asks. And we don’t? Not enough at least.
And it’s not just new moms, believe me that time of hormones and massive life change is extreme, but woman in general don’t ask. It feels like we just have to power through. And since we can and do, we don’t ask and we don’t tell. But it’s hard. Life can be hard, even harder when we aren’t being honest about it.
I have my people, and I’m trying to get better at this. Talking about it. Not trying to do it all. Maybe take a nap, could you imagine!! The support we can offer each other is so unique. We get each other. We see each other. My worth isn’t wrapped up in my busy-ness, but in me alone. And I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
Part of what we are hoping to create with three trees sway is more support. Quiet support. There’s room in all of our lives for more.
Love, Liz
