“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
Elizabeth Stone, author and teacher
When I saw this quote, it was the first time I thought someone accurately described what it felt like to be a Mom. And I also thought, “How is any human being supposed to navigate this incredible vulnerability, this splitting of your heart into pieces, and then one day just let go, and watch as your heart drives away into their own bright future.”
And of course, this is the goal, right?
We all want to give our kids the wings to fly.
But the trick is to grow your own heart, at the same time,
So as you watch your child walk out the door,
With your heart in their hands,
You still have a piece left for yourself.
Eight years ago, my heart was constantly on the line.
As my son struggled through one of the greatest challenges of his life,
And my Dad struggled through late stage Alzheimer’s,
I knew I had to figure out a way to stay afloat and survive.
I was teaching a class in creativity at the time, and I started connecting with other Moms and hearing their stories, and eventually gathering in groups. That led me to creating workshops to help Moms find a path back to themselves…to find meaning and purpose outside of being a Mom. We gathered in living rooms, coffee shops, college class rooms and corporate board rooms…
It’s how I created my program, “Path Back To You.”…
So Moms could begin to find their own voice and sense of purpose again.
Because by giving yourself “your self”, you have more of your Mom self to give.
And I’m forever grateful and honored to the Moms who shared their stories and their hearts with me.
Wherever you are on this journey of being a Mom,
Whether your kids are young, or leaving the nest, or in between…
Today, I honor you and your incredible heart
That has the courage to let your children grow and fly,
And the vulnerability of a love so big,
“Your heart is forever walking outside your body”.
With love and encouragement,
Stefanie
April 20, 2022