05/05/2020
Recently I received this beautiful written letter from an postpartum mom. She has given me permission to share it with you. . .
Dear Current Maternity Leave,
I’ve been thinking about this a while now and as much as it hurts my heart to say this to you, I think we should breakup.
I thought you and I would be a perfect match, but time has shown that we are not meant to be.
You are far too unpredictable. Just when I thought I knew you, you became a completely different beast.
You are isolating. I pictured our relationship would be one spent laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Instead, we sit alone, often in an eerie silence broken only by the tears I shed.
You are stressful. I’m tired of walking around on eggshells wondering if what I’m doing is enough.
And so I must break up with you. Although I may not ever meet anyone like you again, I know this is best for me.
Dear New Maternity Leave,
I have to admit when I first met you I thought for sure we would never get along. Yet here we are weeks later still going strong.
We may have our differences and don’t always see eye to eye. Despite that, I’ve learned a lot about myself as we have begun to build our relationship.
I am resilient. No matter what you throw at me and no matter how many times I am knocked down, I get back up again.
I am fearless. Whenever you challenge me, I dig down deep. Unwavering, you may jostle or shake me but I will not let you break me.
I am not perfect. I know there are days where my imperfections are written all over my face. There are times where you look at me and question if we should even bother carrying on.
There are moments of weakness and vulnerability mixed with sheer joy, laughter and peace. I don’t know where this relationship will take us but I know one thing for sure. I’m in this for the long run and I’m not giving up. We are just getting started.
----anonymous postpartum mom
