Beautiful reflection on the juxtaposition of midlife and young motherhood. The line about needing friends who can dwell in death then back to life captures something essential about navigating parental anxiety after childhood ilness. I find the honesty about statistics being taken with salt particularly grounding, we're all trying to make sense of uncertainty while staying present. The 'ferny frond cave friends' imagery really works.
What a really wonderful read ! What a beautiful picture of deep love and joy. Xxxx keep writing as it so beautiful and full of love. It’s what we all need right now!!!!! Xxxxxxx
Mia this is gorgeous. Had no idea about Arthur, and you write about it, and his understanding of it so beautifully. Please please tell me your daughter got 3 wolves for her birthday (with appropriate safety utensils?)
Her birthday is end of Feb so who knows what her final present reveal will … reveal … but I did once paint her a picture of three wolves which she was surprisingly happy with! Thank you Adam x
So much in this post resonates Mia. I turn 50 later this year and (as you know!) also have a 6 and 7 year old kids...it feels like a lot navigating menopause, midlife, parents with cancer and yes, a sense of moving more quickly towards my own, eventual death.
You show through your writing what a bloody fantastic mother you are. Having to put your own fears to one side to protect your boy and guide him in learning to navigate his own life story....it's a lot and i'm so glad that you've got your friends around you who you can lean on when you need them. Precious.
Your party was so full of joy and sparkles and felt so utterly fun and life affirming - I really LOVED IT and it felt especially wonderful to find that joy and celebration in the month of January....you certainly knew how to brighten up an otherwise very bleak beginning to my year...roll on Spring! Whoop!
I'm so grateful to be surrounded by the energy, creativity, wonder and innocence that my kids have brought to my own life - more art, music, stories and laughter than I can remember ever having.....for a long time at least.
Having said that, much of the time I feel like a horse faced with a big barrier in front of me, unsure of how I will jump over....but, recently, there have been moments when I have felt like i am galloping over, free and easy and excited to see what's on the other side. Giddy up my friend! It's a bumpy ride this thing called life but i'm starting just now to feel like I can ride the horse. Love to you x
Arrrgghhh Kate!!! Absolutely loved reading this, thank you, there’s such a lot to process right now coming from all angles, so good to share with each other. As for Saturday, what FUN! I loved us twinning and twirling 💙
This is so beautiful Mia and sent me hurtling from your then to your now, trying to squash into my head a decade's worth of thoughts, help, hugs, tears, laughter and feelings in the space of a moment, so much time has passed, I had no idea. 50 is a grand achievement and can only get better. I smile thinking that we are supposed to now be in our Crone phase. You're still a Maiden and Mother :)
When we "get through" some our most darkest and frightening experiences, there is the urge to think "what if?" and that "what if?" likes to slip in now and then when we're thinking about what could have been or what may be. A wise friend told me those are 2 things that don't exist. It takes a bit of work to not think about the non existent things but we try and carry on dancing and laughing. Xxxx
Love this Rach and my goodness it was pure joy to see you and Sula on Saturday. PURE JOY. Can’t wait to come to your festival this year. Dance we will! And laugh always ♥️
Beautiful writing Mia, and really drives home the exhausting medical jargon around cancer that only adds to the confusion for those of us with close up experience. I value the NHS so much but also wish there was funding for an “Idiot’s Guide To…[insert your particular flavour of cancer here] for those of us drowning in exotic sounding diagnoses and “average life expectancy” nonsense.
Anyway I’m standing in the playground waiting to pick Sonny up and crying so I’ll put my phone away.
Lovely reflection on the weight and lightness of turning fifty. The part about googling together with your son really got me, that boundary between protecting him and letting him own his story feels like such delicate territory. I went through smth similar when my nephew was sick and it's wild how you have to learn to live alongside the worry without letting it take over everything.
Thankyou for this comment and your observations, yes so delicate, it is aaaalll SO delicate isn’t it. I send you and your nephew love and well wishes x
Beautiful reflection on the juxtaposition of midlife and young motherhood. The line about needing friends who can dwell in death then back to life captures something essential about navigating parental anxiety after childhood ilness. I find the honesty about statistics being taken with salt particularly grounding, we're all trying to make sense of uncertainty while staying present. The 'ferny frond cave friends' imagery really works.
A lovely, warm, touching reflection on mortality and the importance to enjoy what we have right here, right now. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this feedback, it’s so appreciated.
Simple delicate inspiring
Thank you x
What a really wonderful read ! What a beautiful picture of deep love and joy. Xxxx keep writing as it so beautiful and full of love. It’s what we all need right now!!!!! Xxxxxxx
I feel the need to go ride a horse now! Xxxxxx
Thank you so much Margo, I feel so chuffed and honoured that you’ve taken the time to leave this feedback, really thank you so much xx
So much said in so few words. I hope more people get to read this!
So lovely! Hope all continues to be well with your son and your daughter
Thank you Emma lovely, Squat always tells me of your news xx
Mia this is gorgeous. Had no idea about Arthur, and you write about it, and his understanding of it so beautifully. Please please tell me your daughter got 3 wolves for her birthday (with appropriate safety utensils?)
Her birthday is end of Feb so who knows what her final present reveal will … reveal … but I did once paint her a picture of three wolves which she was surprisingly happy with! Thank you Adam x
So beautiful Mia ❤️ thank you for being one of my ferny frond cave friends. Light, dark, light again- your writing is gorgeous, keep going xx
Thank you Ruth, laugh, cry, eat repeat x
So much in this post resonates Mia. I turn 50 later this year and (as you know!) also have a 6 and 7 year old kids...it feels like a lot navigating menopause, midlife, parents with cancer and yes, a sense of moving more quickly towards my own, eventual death.
You show through your writing what a bloody fantastic mother you are. Having to put your own fears to one side to protect your boy and guide him in learning to navigate his own life story....it's a lot and i'm so glad that you've got your friends around you who you can lean on when you need them. Precious.
Your party was so full of joy and sparkles and felt so utterly fun and life affirming - I really LOVED IT and it felt especially wonderful to find that joy and celebration in the month of January....you certainly knew how to brighten up an otherwise very bleak beginning to my year...roll on Spring! Whoop!
I'm so grateful to be surrounded by the energy, creativity, wonder and innocence that my kids have brought to my own life - more art, music, stories and laughter than I can remember ever having.....for a long time at least.
Having said that, much of the time I feel like a horse faced with a big barrier in front of me, unsure of how I will jump over....but, recently, there have been moments when I have felt like i am galloping over, free and easy and excited to see what's on the other side. Giddy up my friend! It's a bumpy ride this thing called life but i'm starting just now to feel like I can ride the horse. Love to you x
Arrrgghhh Kate!!! Absolutely loved reading this, thank you, there’s such a lot to process right now coming from all angles, so good to share with each other. As for Saturday, what FUN! I loved us twinning and twirling 💙
This is so beautiful Mia and sent me hurtling from your then to your now, trying to squash into my head a decade's worth of thoughts, help, hugs, tears, laughter and feelings in the space of a moment, so much time has passed, I had no idea. 50 is a grand achievement and can only get better. I smile thinking that we are supposed to now be in our Crone phase. You're still a Maiden and Mother :)
When we "get through" some our most darkest and frightening experiences, there is the urge to think "what if?" and that "what if?" likes to slip in now and then when we're thinking about what could have been or what may be. A wise friend told me those are 2 things that don't exist. It takes a bit of work to not think about the non existent things but we try and carry on dancing and laughing. Xxxx
Love this Rach and my goodness it was pure joy to see you and Sula on Saturday. PURE JOY. Can’t wait to come to your festival this year. Dance we will! And laugh always ♥️
Beautiful writing Mia, and really drives home the exhausting medical jargon around cancer that only adds to the confusion for those of us with close up experience. I value the NHS so much but also wish there was funding for an “Idiot’s Guide To…[insert your particular flavour of cancer here] for those of us drowning in exotic sounding diagnoses and “average life expectancy” nonsense.
Anyway I’m standing in the playground waiting to pick Sonny up and crying so I’ll put my phone away.
Big love and HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN.
Am so happy we met and are now pals for life. Love you ♥️
ME TOO AND LOVE YOU BACK ❤️
Mia this is beautiful writing. I hope you know I'd go into those caves with you, and pull you back out after too. xxx
I do my love and same same for you too 🌚🌝
Lovely reflection on the weight and lightness of turning fifty. The part about googling together with your son really got me, that boundary between protecting him and letting him own his story feels like such delicate territory. I went through smth similar when my nephew was sick and it's wild how you have to learn to live alongside the worry without letting it take over everything.
Thankyou for this comment and your observations, yes so delicate, it is aaaalll SO delicate isn’t it. I send you and your nephew love and well wishes x
This Was so brilliantly written & heart warming .. Arthur & Flo have a super Mum & I pray the future is a bright one