Women I could easily connect with or who effortlessly ‘got me’ and my complicated childless, ‘non-mom’ experience once felt elusive.
That’s because during my 30s and well into my early 40s I learned some hard truths. You could say I was akin to an older Janis Ian. Modifying a few of her classic lyrics a bit, I learned…
And those of us with tearful facesLacking in the social gracesDesperately remained at homeInventing non-moms on the phone
To those of us who knew the painOf much wanted children who never cameAnd those whose names were never calledWhen choosing sides for Baby & Me at the mall
It was long ago and far awayThe world was younger than todayWhen dreams were all they gave for freeTo childless women like me
Conscious Childless Elder Women Sharing Stories
That was until the blogosphere introduced me to a whole new world of truth telling. Today, as we approach 2023 I’ve had the remarkable good fortune to meet some of you in person, many on blogs and others via book clubs. Together, we’ve helped heal and educate. We’ve created community, raised awareness, and nurtured many, including our tribe.
More recently, thanks to the pioneering work of Jody Day, we’re also meeting via Zoom to capture and advance the realities of growing older sans children.
The latest topic of the Fireside Wisdom with Childless Elderwomen is Renewal. In a safe space on the winter solstice, we women shared stories, resources, insights, and hard-won wisdom. We covered a lot of important issues so rather than attempt to summarize, I encourage you to tune in and listen. I’ll extract some of the my favorite compelling thoughts in an upcoming post. Meanwhile, you can sign up to Jody’s mailing list for future sessions here
IVF Survivors: One of Slate’s Best Podcasts of 2022
Last week, amid what has felt like an endless series of COVID reactive respiratory infections (currently sinusitis and more asthma), some good news. Slate editors chose their favorite podcast episodes based on what they described as “engrossing interviews” and “untold stories.” Honored to learn the podcast where I shared what it was like to be an ‘IVF Survivor’ made the list. Can you believe it? The concept of an IVF Survivor is now in the lexicon — thanks to our coming forward with our stories.
My Renewal Wishes
We’ve come a long way these many years. As I approach my 60th birthday this June I look forward to seeing how we continue to grow and evolve in 2023 and beyond. I also plan to prioritize my health — both physical and mental. As I said in our solstice Renewal discussion, I will make space for deeper breathing, connection, truth telling, and respect for myself and others. What does renewal mean to you in the New Year?
