Don't open this unless you have called the mothers in your life.

Moms, come right in.

Wow, motherhood. What a ride.

Happy Mother’s Day, RDG Readers-

Everyone - let mom get coffee in bed, an afternoon nap, and an evening bath with no interruptions. Call all the Grandmas early, because you know they are waiting for the phone to ring!

The powerful stories I hear all the time from moms inspire me so much. Moms, we are tough.

We come into this role with a scream and a surrender. We are broken apart and a piece of us releases into the world.

And we all walk around, having created a beating heart that becomes totally independent and free from us that we will never control.

I know I didn’t fully understand my mother til I became one.

And now, I get it. Love you, Grandmama.

But also, I open my heart and send light to all those who have complicated feelings about Mother’s Day. I see you too. It can be a bittersweet day for many - I’ve been there.

To those who lost moms, are waiting to be moms, and to the moms who have suffered loss- may you all be blessed with hope, grace, and healing today.

My path to motherhood has not been simple, as you all know. But it’s also been my life’s most epic adventure.

Oh Mama!

Today mothering looks like packing lunchboxes, negotiating wearing a princess dress versus a sensible coat in cool weather, singing Frozen over and over and over, and being so endlessly proud even after an exhausted night when my three year old wanders into my bed in the dark and sleeps on top of me, pushing me to the edge of the king mattress.

And although it’s draining, it’s a special kind of beauty.

I didn’t always know if I wanted to be a mother. It wasn’t something I felt eager for, mostly because I feared its impact on my life.

And wow, did it impact every facet of my life from my health to my career to my time and priorities.

And while I wasn’t ever wrong about how it would change me, I didn’t know how absolutely astoundingly wonderful it would all be too.

Becoming a mother evolved my definition of love in a way I’m eternally grateful for.

DID YOU MISS IT?

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If you’re new here and wondering, “what happened to this lady?” read:

I started writing this when I was on dialysis. It’s intended to be both memoir and a practical tool to help folks who might be going through something similar or those caregivers and family supporting someone with a challenging diagnosis. NOTE: This is not intended to replace actual medical guidance. Please consult your doctors on your individual challenges and situations. Please talk to your clinicians before adjusting any of your care protocols. Also names have been changed for most of my medical staff.

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