some kind of list

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​I am fully embracing living and sharing my story - whether that means that I get to retell the same thing over and over again like a broken record; or figuring out how to navigate this fire and put it into words. 
I am pumped. I'm excited to do something MORE. 
I started finding opportunities that I know I can handle and commit to and among them was to speak to someone from ACOG (Am College of Obs and Gyn) about my preeclampsia and postpartum depression story. We spoke for over an hour about how we absolutely adore the new life (infant) while simultaneously forgetting about the one that made it (mom). We pass her over. We don't see mom. We see the most adorable cherub that we can't wait to cuddle and hold. We look past mom's sometimes harried appearance and go straight for the questions that sting: "how's breastfeeding going?" - I can't tell you how many moms dread this question. Breastfeeding is hard and the picture we have are these lovely breastfeeding moments, bonding moments, and not the crying, cracked bleeding nipples of the before or the surrender of not measuring up.
"are you excited to no longer be pregnant?"
"how long is your maternity leave?" followed by, "too bad, you can't stay home," or "you're so lucky you get to stay home."
We are measured by how much we can handle.
And then guilted into believing that super moms exist and we are far far from holding our own.

The things that continue to strike me are the tears that find its way down my face, the way my voice breaks or changes in octave. I had hoped that almost four years later, my courage takes hold over me. I had prayed that I can look back in awe at my own strength and bravery.....instead of reminding myself of past fears. In order words, I had really hoped to be over all of it by now, but time hasn't softened or healed my wounds of having 2 traumatic births. I may not recall every small detail but my broken heart finds its way to paint my nightmare.

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Moving on

So I told her that I am in the midst of the "after." There was life before NICU, before preeclampsia, before anxiety......but I am no longer welcomed there. Life in the "after NICU, after preeclampsia, after postpartum depression," is slow and measured. My movements calculated to avoid potential triggers. Life in the "after" consists of giving daily thanks and hugs and a quick reminder that we are all here. All three of us, my daughter, my son and myself. We're present and not figments of my imagination. 
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what happens next?

What happens now is laying down the foundation of helping mamas feel less alone after their storms. If all I ever write about is poetry on motherhood, preeclampsia, postpartum depression...... then I am thankful for those moments and use those lived in experiences to tell my story. It's not over yet. 

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2020 GOALS

Submit to 20 journals/publications.
Read 20 books.
Visit 20 museums.
Walk 100 miles from Jan 1st to May 31st for moms and babies. That's roughly 20 miles/month. 
Do 1 thing/month that scares you; whether that is sending poetry manuscript to an agent that you're after or going on a solo adventure or finally going on that bike ride. Just 1 thing to remind yourself you are here. 

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January:

I'm told it's easier to break this list down. 
For January:
1.) Read 2-3 books
(Currently listening to I am Malala and Handmaid's Tale is our book club pick for January). 
2.) Visit 2 museums
(already met when we went to Lone Star Flight Museum and Play Street Museum)
3.) Submit to 2 - 3 different publications. 
(As of now, I've printed out 2 lit magazines submission guidelines). 
4.) Walk 20 miles this month! 
5.) 1 thing that scares me: ask this moms' group if I can share my testimony.....I'll let you know how that goes!!

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What are your goals this year? Do you break it down to a more manageable list? 
​Happy reading and writing, friends!