Today, over at Living Self-Care, Diane Sanford is talking about heroes. She emailed me earlier this week to let me know that I will be one of the women she would be mentioning. The email had me speechless because I honestly don’t think of myself as a hero. For me, what I do on a daily basis, is simply me doing what I wish someone had done for me when I was struggling. I wake with a very humble goal each day – to help no less than one mother. Since I started this work, I’ve exceeded my goal every day. I don’t intend to ever stop.
Thank you, Diane, for your own dedication to Mothers everywhere. You too, are a hero.
I also have some things to say here about heroes. I hope you’ll go check out Diane’s post as well as read my post here.
Everyday our lives are touched by people who are heroes.
Most people think of big heroes – people who have saved lives, rushed headlong into danger to protect others, or done something beyond miraculous to help another person.
Thing is, sometimes, a hero is created through a series of small actions for several people. Or even just a small action for one person. Sometimes a hero is simply someone who has shown us how to do what we do and is filled with passion for their purpose in life. Or sometimes a hero is simply someone who has bravely fought against every odd and won. Heroism is not necessarily doing for others. Sometimes it’s surviving despite the odds being stacked against you.
I have a lot of heroes right now.
Some of them would probably claim they haven’t done anything to deserve to be my hero. But they have done so very much.
My heroes are all the women who have fought Postpartum Depression in any shape or form. They don’t have to be survivors yet. They don’t have to be bloggers or even on Twitter. Because the moms I know who are Postpartum Depression fighters are some of the strongest, passionate, dedicated, amazing, brilliant, compassionate, and mind-blowing women I know. To face Postpartum Depression is to face a true beast. The battle is long. It is exhausting. But still, they stand, taking everything this beast has to give. They fight, through insomnia, through anxiety, through depression, through intrusive thoughts, through psychosis for some, through PTSD. They fight for their family, their children, themselves. They are phenomenal.
Who are your heroes? What did they do to earn the title? Have you told them lately that they’re your hero?
I’ve said this before, but you’re one of my heroes. I found PPDChat and you at exactly the right time and finding that was a turning point in my recovery from PPD. I will forever be thankful and grateful for the work you’ve put into helping others, Lauren. You’re most deserving of the title of “hero.”
I just found your blog today, but I can say right now that any mother who has experienced post partum depression and got over it IS in fact a hero. I am still struggling, even though my kids are 5 and 3. I don’t tell many people, but I have been fighting PPD for over 5 years. I love my girls and I would do anything for them, but sometimes I just feel like I can’t deal with it. I cry almost every day because I am overwhelmed and sometimes I have to take time for myself and leave my kids with my mom. It’s embarrassing to talk about to most people, because I don’t want them to think I am a bad or neglectful mother. I do my best to give my kids everything they want and need. Sometimes it’s just so difficult.
I’m definitely going to take more time and read your blog later today. But in my eyes, any mom is a hero that battles PPD. I hope one day that I can overcome it too.
Krissy @ Mommy Miscellaneous
Lauren, as I say to you all the time…you amaze me! I am so thankful to have you not only as a fellow advocate but also as a friend.
When I was a child my father was my hero. He worked, my mom stayed home, and he had taken care of his parents from such a young age. He is and will always be my first hero, But if you ask me now, I’d say my mom is my hero. She didn’t work, didn’t drive, took care of two young kids when her husband worked Saturday nights through the wee hours of the morning, and now, as my brother and I are adults we have watched her battle and BEAT cancer. My mom is my hero. She is my heart and soul, and I’m so proud to talk about her in this way.