The Unraveling Mother

A dear friend once sent me a message that stayed with me longer than she probably realized. It was simple and thoughtful, yet unexpectedly grounding. She wrote, “The word flotilla keeps popping into my mind. I like to think of it as a metaphor for us grouping our ships together as we float down the river of life.” The image lingered. Becoming a parent changes you in ways no one fully prepares you for, especially when it comes to friendships. Life quietly divides into before kids and after...

There was a time early in motherhood when simply leaving the house felt like an achievement. I was new to parenting, and learning how to move through the world with my firstborn was disorienting and overwhelming. The planning, the timing, the quiet fear of getting it wrong all made even small outings feel heavy. It was also a season when I didn’t know anyone yet. I remember one late afternoon, that stretch before dinner and bedtime, attempting to walk by a nearby harbor. As I placed my...

I didn’t know I was unraveling at first. I thought I was just tired. Just stretched thin. Just adjusting. I thought the overwhelm was...