A Boy Mom's Mother's Day Musings

Mother's Day stirred up something unexpected in me this year.In this deeply personal episode, I share a part of my story that I've carried quietly for many years. The grief of never having a daughter. As a proud mom of three incredible boys, I've often felt guilty for acknowledging that longing. But through coaching, reflection, and a willingness to sit with difficult emotions, I'm learning that gratitude and grief can exist side by side.I talk about miscarriage, infertility, the imagined daughter we called Ripley, and the dreams we create about what motherhood is supposed to look like. I also reflect on the incredible role Gerard has played in our family, the unique gifts each of my sons has brought to my life, and the ways our expectations can sometimes create suffering when reality doesn't match the stories we've written in our minds.This episode is ultimately about holding space for the tender places within us. The losses that are real, the futures that never happened, and the courage to honor our feelings without shame.If you've ever grieved a version of life you thought you would have, this conversation is for you.Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage, infertility, pregnancy loss, unmet expectations around motherhood, and emotional grief. Listener discretion is advised if these topics are tender for you.