I remember way back when I saw the movie Tarzan, in the last scene, Jane had just given birth. The whole village is there to welcome the baby and support the new family and celebrate new life. I literally broke down and wept, knowing this is how it is meant to be, the whole village was mother, sister, uncle, friend, father, auntie, brother. They were all in it together. All mothers to that child.
The sorrow and grief welled up unexpectedly. This was what I missed, mothering my child.
My child is grown now. I won’t have human grandchildren. It is not what she wants, however, she mothers cats, succulents, mushrooms, fish, ferns….
Of course, the tough thing is that, often, as young mothers, we don't have family or community around us to help out. I can remember my son getting on my last nerve and calling my mother, who lived 2 hours away and saying, "If you ever want to see your grandson alive again, you'd better come get him for a few days before I kill him." Fortunately, she would drive to Houston and pick him up within a day or so. Just knowing that I was fixing to get some relief made things easier for me. I honestly don't know how single mothers with more than one child can manage without losing their mind. After Christopher grew up and left home, I was available to my friends with child care who might be on the verge of insanity because I knew how overwhelmed mothers can be.
There was just a program on NPR an hour ago about mental health and young mothers, and how some have a hard time asking for help for fear of appearing to be a failure. Not me.
I quote you often, Perdita, and have for a number of years, since perhaps back years and years ago on FB and beyond.
“To live in that world was to live in the long story of souls departing and returning to each other eternally—in which all beings had been our mothers, all beings our children. We are all each other’s gods and goddesses and we are legion. “
I remember way back when I saw the movie Tarzan, in the last scene, Jane had just given birth. The whole village is there to welcome the baby and support the new family and celebrate new life. I literally broke down and wept, knowing this is how it is meant to be, the whole village was mother, sister, uncle, friend, father, auntie, brother. They were all in it together. All mothers to that child.
The sorrow and grief welled up unexpectedly. This was what I missed, mothering my child.
My child is grown now. I won’t have human grandchildren. It is not what she wants, however, she mothers cats, succulents, mushrooms, fish, ferns….
Of course, the tough thing is that, often, as young mothers, we don't have family or community around us to help out. I can remember my son getting on my last nerve and calling my mother, who lived 2 hours away and saying, "If you ever want to see your grandson alive again, you'd better come get him for a few days before I kill him." Fortunately, she would drive to Houston and pick him up within a day or so. Just knowing that I was fixing to get some relief made things easier for me. I honestly don't know how single mothers with more than one child can manage without losing their mind. After Christopher grew up and left home, I was available to my friends with child care who might be on the verge of insanity because I knew how overwhelmed mothers can be.
There was just a program on NPR an hour ago about mental health and young mothers, and how some have a hard time asking for help for fear of appearing to be a failure. Not me.
The long stories of our souls…
I quote you often, Perdita, and have for a number of years, since perhaps back years and years ago on FB and beyond.
“To live in that world was to live in the long story of souls departing and returning to each other eternally—in which all beings had been our mothers, all beings our children. We are all each other’s gods and goddesses and we are legion. “
Amen to this glorious vision Perdita! ❤️🌹✨