I loved this piece Heidi. You're writing is so empathetic and kind... If that makes sense? I love the vingettes. My post partum body has been bothering me since I feel like I shouldn't really be post partum anymore after 15 months. I was talking about this with someone else and we had to remind each other that God's beauty standard are so different to ours. This was such a good reminder of that again!
Kym, your comments always feel like a virtual hug! Thank you. Your encouragement means so much because “empathetic and kind” is NOT how anyone would have described me 20 years ago. All praise to God and the beautiful women who have patiently guided and shaped the voice I have today. I think the world’s pressure on us to “bounce back” is unfair. IMO the gospel and the cross shows is that there is nothing more bold and beautiful than a body which willing bears the pain and sacrifice of bringing forth new life. This is the narrative I tell myself when I miss my pre baby body - and also something I tell my mum friends!
Praise to God indeed! Isn't it amazing how he changed us? I can see it in my own life too, especially through marriage and motherhood.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm studying Acts with my women's Bible study and find myself really liking Barnabas, whose name means 'son of encouragement', so if I can be a daughter of encouragement than I feel like I'm doing the Lord's work 😊
Ooh I love the way you said that - that I should be willing to bear the marks. So true 💛
Thank you for this lovely read! I grew up with a mother who told me every day that beauty came from the identity of being a child of God. Your daughter is blessed to have a mama like you ❤️
What a poignant piece about embracing our own beauty by recognizing ourselves in the generations before and after. I have felt this! When I see how beautiful my friends and sisters are but how disssatisfied they feel, it makes me want to love myself the way I want them to love themselves. This vignette captures the bittersweet journey of aging with a sense of hope for what could be if we love ourselves.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. I agree the relationship we have with ourselves is important, because both our positivity and negativity can spill onto others. I’m sure your friends and sisters appreciate your encouragement!
Thanks for the feedback, Vicki! I love how you described it as “sad in a good way”. Motherhood and ageing comes with so many bittersweet and “happy sad” moments. Time is a gift, and it’s such a privilege to be able to experience these moments of change and growth.
Amazing, Heidi! Your writing here is truly moving and reflective of a society and culture that teaches women to judge their physical appearance from a very young age. Thank you for sharing this and putting words to an experience so many of us relate to 🙏🏼🫶
Always a comfort and relief to know my words are relatable. I didn’t get to share how attending an all girls school completely threw off my tomboy vibes 😂 2001 was a wild experience!
You never failed to convey empathy to your readers, to your loved ones, and to yourself. Which is to say, we feel your love. Please continue to convey those feelings through your amazing writing. What a gift!
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing these words. As a mother to daughters now, I hold all of this so tenderly as I teach them to delight in how God uniquely designed them.
Thank you, Brianna! It's such a privilege to be able to raise girls and to reverse unhelpful narratives and beauty standards. Your daughters are blessed to have you!
I am a mixed "race" ( Native American/ German heritage) larger woman in her late 60s. I understand on a different level your struggles with "fitting in" having been "overweight" most of my life.
With a major upheaval in my personal life has come the determination that I will wear what I want when and how I want and just be me. No one can dictate ever again who and what I am. And I'm working on being at peace with that.
Thank you for sharing your own journey with the struggle to fit in, and how your appearance contributed to the struggle. It sounds like you're in a season of important change and that you're working hard at reclaiming confidence and peace on your own terms.
Thank you for this beautiful piece. Keep writing! I have tears from the scene of you and your mom.
I loved this piece Heidi. You're writing is so empathetic and kind... If that makes sense? I love the vingettes. My post partum body has been bothering me since I feel like I shouldn't really be post partum anymore after 15 months. I was talking about this with someone else and we had to remind each other that God's beauty standard are so different to ours. This was such a good reminder of that again!
Kym, your comments always feel like a virtual hug! Thank you. Your encouragement means so much because “empathetic and kind” is NOT how anyone would have described me 20 years ago. All praise to God and the beautiful women who have patiently guided and shaped the voice I have today. I think the world’s pressure on us to “bounce back” is unfair. IMO the gospel and the cross shows is that there is nothing more bold and beautiful than a body which willing bears the pain and sacrifice of bringing forth new life. This is the narrative I tell myself when I miss my pre baby body - and also something I tell my mum friends!
Praise to God indeed! Isn't it amazing how he changed us? I can see it in my own life too, especially through marriage and motherhood.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm studying Acts with my women's Bible study and find myself really liking Barnabas, whose name means 'son of encouragement', so if I can be a daughter of encouragement than I feel like I'm doing the Lord's work 😊
Ooh I love the way you said that - that I should be willing to bear the marks. So true 💛
Thank you for this lovely read! I grew up with a mother who told me every day that beauty came from the identity of being a child of God. Your daughter is blessed to have a mama like you ❤️
Thank you, Eden! That is so precious that you have those words and reminders from your mother.
What a poignant piece about embracing our own beauty by recognizing ourselves in the generations before and after. I have felt this! When I see how beautiful my friends and sisters are but how disssatisfied they feel, it makes me want to love myself the way I want them to love themselves. This vignette captures the bittersweet journey of aging with a sense of hope for what could be if we love ourselves.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. I agree the relationship we have with ourselves is important, because both our positivity and negativity can spill onto others. I’m sure your friends and sisters appreciate your encouragement!
This made me cry T _ T as a husband, dad of 2 girls, and as a pastor.... Thanks for writing this Heidi..
It means so much that my words can make you cry and you’re never ashamed to let me know! 🙏🏻🥹
I love this piece! 2023 and 2025 are sad in a good way... Very moving
Thanks for the feedback, Vicki! I love how you described it as “sad in a good way”. Motherhood and ageing comes with so many bittersweet and “happy sad” moments. Time is a gift, and it’s such a privilege to be able to experience these moments of change and growth.
Thank you for writing this. Very beautiful!
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave feedback, Yuezhong! Always happy to hear how this piece spoke to you?
Amazing, Heidi! Your writing here is truly moving and reflective of a society and culture that teaches women to judge their physical appearance from a very young age. Thank you for sharing this and putting words to an experience so many of us relate to 🙏🏼🫶
Always a comfort and relief to know my words are relatable. I didn’t get to share how attending an all girls school completely threw off my tomboy vibes 😂 2001 was a wild experience!
You never failed to convey empathy to your readers, to your loved ones, and to yourself. Which is to say, we feel your love. Please continue to convey those feelings through your amazing writing. What a gift!
That’s so kind, Jim! It means so much to have your readership and your encouragement over the years! ☺️
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing these words. As a mother to daughters now, I hold all of this so tenderly as I teach them to delight in how God uniquely designed them.
Thank you, Brianna! It's such a privilege to be able to raise girls and to reverse unhelpful narratives and beauty standards. Your daughters are blessed to have you!
I agree! What an encouragement, thank you.
I am a mixed "race" ( Native American/ German heritage) larger woman in her late 60s. I understand on a different level your struggles with "fitting in" having been "overweight" most of my life.
With a major upheaval in my personal life has come the determination that I will wear what I want when and how I want and just be me. No one can dictate ever again who and what I am. And I'm working on being at peace with that.
Thank you for sharing your own journey with the struggle to fit in, and how your appearance contributed to the struggle. It sounds like you're in a season of important change and that you're working hard at reclaiming confidence and peace on your own terms.