A letter to Mothers from Laura

This is a letter from my perspective as a co-founder and working mother.

Darling, you are the eighth wonder of the world. What you’ve accomplished in your lifetime is magnificent. The tiny moments no one sees, where you smile, straighten your back a bit, and think “I can’t believe I just did that,” are monuments to your legacy. Your children can’t imagine a life without your snuggles and wise words. Your company can’t imagine a day without your brilliant ideas and efforts to move mountains. You, quite frankly, are a marvel. 

I woke up this morning thinking about the role you play, and it occurred to me that mothers are the root system that holds it all together. At home, you're Chief of Doing Everything No One Else Does. Even when you’re beyond exhausted, you’d do it a million times again if it meant staring into your little one’s eyes as you kiss them goodnight and hear, “I love you, mommy,” followed by their sweet (or stinky, depending on the pubescent stage) head nuzzling into your chest. I know how it feels to wonder if your heart could actually explode with love, and that love is the lifeblood of the world.

I take a wild guess and say you’re probably “mom” at work too. You feel responsible for helping more than you’re expected, and you care deeply about the people you interact with. You want to see everyone succeed, and you go the extra mile to make sure everyone’s life around you is a little easier. You wash the coffee cups in the sink. You spend extra time with the new hire to make sure they feel confident in their first big moment. You say yes when every bone in your body is begging you to shut your laptop. 

Did you know that working mothers today spend more time with their children than non-working mothers in the 70’s and 80’s? (We all know keeping a home together, and kids alive is a full-time job too, but for the sake of the point.) So if it feels like it’s getting harder, it is. And if you feel like you’re thanked less, it’s true. Expectations are so heavy and non-stop, it truly takes Herculean effort to make it through most days. 

My gift to you, fierce one, is a recipe to nourish the roots you so lovingly provide to keep the world turning. I want you to bathe your nervous system in love. This Mother’s Day, sprinkle a bit of each into your day, and perhaps carry one or two of these ingredients into your daily life. 

Dance. ‍

Pop into Spotify, search Millennial Moms Dance Party, and see what your body wants to do. Turn it up loud. I promise you, sitting still won’t be an option. Shimmy your shoulders. Hop around. Drop it like it’s hot if your knees still let you, even if it looks ridiculous, especially if it looks ridiculous. Close your eyes and let the music move you. Hoot, yelp, scream, laugh, and sigh. And when you’re out of breath, put your hands on your heart and feel it beating with joy. 

Connect your body to the earth.

Go outside barefoot. Let the bare soles of your feet absorb the magic of Mama Earth. Wiggle your toes in the grass, sand, or dirt. Hell, lie down and starfish on the ground, and soak in some vitamin D. Don’t stress about sunscreen for one moment, and just enjoy the warmth of the sun on your shoulders. Relax, and forget that time exists.

Spend time with art that moves you.

It could be a painting you’ve always loved (just Google it if you need to), or a poem that gives you goosebumps. Maybe a song you close your eyes and steep in. Experience the beauty of each word, brush stroke, or note. Let the art grab a hold of your senses and force you into the present moment. Every artist has the gift of alchemizing pain, pleasure, happiness, or suffering and concocting something breathtaking for us to marvel at. Give yourself the gift of awe. 

And lastly.

Hug.

‍Truly embrace as many people as you can. Hold your kiddos a little tighter. Let your arms linger a little longer around a friend. If you have a partner, a lover, a sidekick, hold them until it’s awkward. See if you can feel the other’s heartbeat through your shirts and skin. 

Sweet one, I’m holding up this mirror. Look at you. How remarkable, how kind, how unstoppable. You are the root system. You are the reason this world, that feels so heavy and hard most days, is worth the weight.