Thank you so much for this. As someone who does not know if I will have kids, I have been working hard to envision a life without them (especially as so many of my early life-imaginings included motherhood). Reading your piece last week, even as I was grateful for a peek into those thin places of motherhood that you graciously opened up for us readers, also admittedly left me feeling a little sad. This wide variety of vignettes of sacredness outside motherhood helps me continue to envision a life where those thin places can be anywhere, and that no particular path grabs the sacred for itself. As always a reminder that one can find the thin places within and without each life path we each find ourselves following.
I have really struggled with having so many people in my life who seriously think I am lacking because I don't have children and it has caused me a great deal of pain. The shock that I receive over and over again when I share an anecdote about something fulfilling or enlightening or empowering as a single person without children is - quite frankly - exhausting. I'm a devoted and proud Auntie and I'm an educator so I don't lack exposure to amazing children. I just wish I was seen by these folks in my life more fully. This is why I love this post - because we all want to be seen and noticed and asked about what is making us happy, worried, etc. Thank you for highlighting this to remind me that my experience is not universal -- I hope in fact that it is the exception and not the rule!
It IS exhausting having to constantly reframe for others that making meaning beyond motherhood is not a lesser life. And I am so glad you are doing it (when you're up for it). It's worth it to labor for a world in which the capacity to love and be loved is not limited.
Thank you so much for this. As someone who does not know if I will have kids, I have been working hard to envision a life without them (especially as so many of my early life-imaginings included motherhood). Reading your piece last week, even as I was grateful for a peek into those thin places of motherhood that you graciously opened up for us readers, also admittedly left me feeling a little sad. This wide variety of vignettes of sacredness outside motherhood helps me continue to envision a life where those thin places can be anywhere, and that no particular path grabs the sacred for itself. As always a reminder that one can find the thin places within and without each life path we each find ourselves following.
Yes! I love that my crew's reflections affirmed what you already know. The thin places are everywhere and available to everyone!
That makes me so happy. Thank you, Erin and crew!
Love this.
I have really struggled with having so many people in my life who seriously think I am lacking because I don't have children and it has caused me a great deal of pain. The shock that I receive over and over again when I share an anecdote about something fulfilling or enlightening or empowering as a single person without children is - quite frankly - exhausting. I'm a devoted and proud Auntie and I'm an educator so I don't lack exposure to amazing children. I just wish I was seen by these folks in my life more fully. This is why I love this post - because we all want to be seen and noticed and asked about what is making us happy, worried, etc. Thank you for highlighting this to remind me that my experience is not universal -- I hope in fact that it is the exception and not the rule!
It IS exhausting having to constantly reframe for others that making meaning beyond motherhood is not a lesser life. And I am so glad you are doing it (when you're up for it). It's worth it to labor for a world in which the capacity to love and be loved is not limited.