I see you there my baby, I see you struggling to nurse, to sit up, to talk and walk. I’m here to help, if you need me, to guide you or to hold your hand. I’m here to assure you that you are loved and that you will overcome these things in time.

I see you there my young child. I see you struggling to read, write, and add those numbers together. I see you there trying to make friends and ride a bike. I am there to hug you, share with you how I handled similar experiences when I was your age. I’m here to help, if you need me, to guide you or to hold your hand. I’m here to assure you that you are loved and that you will overcome these things in time.

I see you there my teenage child. I see you struggling to fit in, to make friends, to heal a broken heart. I am there to hug you, to talk with you, to listen to you. I’m here to share with you that I too have been there and it’s not easy. I’m here to help, if you need me, to guide you or to hold your hand. I’m here to assure you that you are loved and that you will overcome these things in time.

I see you there my adult child. I see you struggling. Yes, I’m your mom but I was once like you. You see I battled depression and anxiety. I had days I couldn’t get out of bed and withdrew from the world. I have been suicidal, felt like a failure, felt unworthy, and unlovable. I too had panic attacks so severe I had to leave wherever I was to get home because it was my safe place. I had times where I couldn’t pay my bills and worked at a job I hated because I needed the money and there’s more. You see I made poor choices and the natural consequences followed. I’ve done things I am ashamed of and would never tell another living soul. I have been in love many times and I have had my heart broken. I fell in love with someone once but because of circumstances we couldn’t be together; the pain from that broken heart was like dying. You see my adult child, I too have been hurt deeply. I have been lied to, cheated on, abused emotionally and physically. I have been used by friends and partners. I have hurt other people. I have abused substances, legal, illegal, and alcohol. I have hurt those closest to me. I have been hungry because there wasn’t enough food and I had no money. I have grieved the passing of friends, I have grieved for the loss of friendships and relationships.

I see you there my adult child, hurting and struggling. I know I’m “just” your mom, but you are not alone. You see I have been through so much but I’m standing here, I’m full of love for others, I’m doing better now, and I’ve overcome these things. I’m here to help, if you need me, to guide you or to hold your hand. I’m here to assure you that you are loved and that you will overcome these things in time.