My cousin had a baby last night.
And every time someone I care deeply about has her first child, there are so many things I want to share, say, ask, do. I want to hear every detail… because I want to know how she feels and what she experienced, but also because I want to relive the moments that made me a mom, and then a mom of two: those glorious, excruciating, sometimes scary and otherworldly beautiful moments. There simply is nothing as profound as meeting your child for the first time. The way your heart expands, and then expands again and again and again until you think it might burst. The way worry creeps into your being and you suddenly fear the world we live in like you never have. The way the fire in your soul burns brighter than ever and you know that in a moment, it would consume and destruct anyone or anything that threatens your child. The way that you suddenly doubt yourself, your capabilities, your knowledge, your power.
But that’s just it, isn’t it? It’s in that moment, when you become a mom, that you discover that you carry the power and the wisdom of every woman that came before you. You feel the bloodlines of your family coursing through you, and you appreciate all the women who mothered you, related or not. You realize that you are a part of something much larger, much greater and much more powerful than you ever realized. You realize that you are, in fact, super human.
My dear cousin: The next few weeks are trying. They are tough. They can be isolating at times. But these weeks are also divinely beautiful. You will learn about your baby, you will learn about the world and you will learn about yourself… that will continue throughout the entire crazy journey of parenthood. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for help. And equally always remember that you have everything you need to succeed within yourself: love, compassion, instinct and resourcefulness. You have a family that loves you. And you are super human.
Saralyn Ward is an award-winning writer, wellness advocate, and mountain mama. She is the founder of The Mama Sagas, writes for several publications and hosts a regular parenting TV segment on Colorado's Everyday Show. When she's not huddled over edits, you're likely to find Saralyn climbing peaks or skiing down them, and reminding herself that the two little girls that call her mom are not the boss of her.