This past Mother’s Day felt like such a meaningful pause in the middle of a very full life. It was my fifth year getting to celebrate Mother’s Day thanks to my sweet Kay, and every year I find myself reflecting on just how much motherhood has shaped me in ways I never could have predicted.
When I imagined becoming a mom, I don’t think I fully understood how different my path would look. Motherhood, for me, has not followed a straight line or a picture perfect version of what I once thought it would be. Raising a child with special needs has stretched me in ways I didn’t know I was capable of being stretched. It has taught me patience on the hardest days, resilience when things feel uncertain, and a kind of strength that is built quietly in the background of daily life.
There are so many layers to being a mother to a child with medical and developmental needs. It can mean advocating in rooms where you have to find your voice over and over again. It can mean learning medical terms you never expected to know and becoming deeply familiar with routines that keep your child safe and healthy. It can also mean carrying worries that other parents may not have to think about as often. But alongside all of that, there is so much beauty too. There is joy in the smallest victories, pride in progress that others might overlook, and a deep appreciation for your child exactly as they are in every stage they are in.
Kay has taught me more about strength than I ever could have learned on my own. She has shown me how to slow down and celebrate progress in its own time. She has helped me grow as a person in ways I truly believe I might not have if life had gone a different direction. Because of her, I have also found some of the most meaningful communities and friendships. The people we have met along this journey, whether through advocacy, support groups, school, or shared experiences, have become such an important part of our lives. There is something incredibly grounding about connecting with other parents who just understand without needing much explanation.
This Mother’s Day itself was simple in the best way. We spent most of the day at home just enjoying time together. In the afternoon we went swimming, which has quickly become one of Kay’s favorite things. She is really loving the pool this year and would probably swim every single day if she could. It has been so fun to watch her confidence grow in the water. Each time we go out there, I can see her improving just a little more, becoming more comfortable and more adventurous. Those kinds of moments feel so big when you are the one who has seen every step of the journey.
We ended the day with a relaxed dinner at home and had salmon, which Kay surprisingly really enjoyed. She has always been a great eater when she is in the mood to try new things, and I love when she surprises me like that. There is something so sweet about watching her discover foods and decide what she likes in her own time.
Overall, it was a quiet and peaceful day, nothing extravagant, just us being together. And honestly, that is exactly what I wanted. These days have a way of reminding me that joy does not always come from big plans or perfect moments. Sometimes it is found in the calm of being home, in laughter by the pool, in a shared meal, and in the simple comfort of being together.
Motherhood has changed me, but it has also grounded me in the most important ways. And I am endlessly grateful that Kay is the reason I get to live this version of it.