I Was Not Prepared.

I was not prepared
for the amount of self-growth
that would come with motherhood.

With every phase of my children’s development,
I grew too.

I was not prepared
for the challenges I would face.

I was not prepared
to meet parts of myself
I didn’t yet know.

I was not prepared
to mother myself
with the same tenderness
I gave my children.

I was not prepared
for how many old wounds would rise —
asking to be seen,
asking to be healed.

I was not prepared.

But I learn still,
with every new season.

I have changed so much
I barely recognise the young woman
I was before.

And yet,
I would not change a thing.

Every ache,
every stretch,
every unravelling

led me here.

To a life
richer,
deeper,
and more wholly my own.

~ Jo ~