The Party & The Deflated Balloon (A Postpartum Reality)
A woman’s body is revered, respected and adored when pregnant. But much like a deflated balloon, after birth, the party seems to be over.
It’s been 10 years since I gave birth.
About only 3 years since I began to emotionally heal and show my body the respect it deserved, postpartum.
I’ve been shushed many times by those who will believe postpartum is only a one year term, ostracizing me for a delay in healing, even when the words themselves mean “after birth”.
This is me, 10 years after birth.
Respecting my postpartum body, my existence in life after birth.
I never really thanked her for how she grew. I never really celebrated her in the years after.
Today I stand here and I have some better narratives.
Today I stand here, in the evidence of life, in the presence of celebration.
For even deflated balloons know, life and the memories we make in it extends far beyond parties anyhow.
