Synthia sat across from me a stranger, for only a few seconds. Because sharing space with someone quickly makes them your friend. Better yet, crying with someone and realizing you’re made of the same emotions and energy is an even greater bond.
As women, it’s easy to carry a weight on our shoulders that is heavy and exhaustive. But not unbearable. That weight is crushing, but we’re honored to close our eyes and march forward because our children depend on it. It’s also easy, as mothers, to know when something is not right. Instinctually, we become hard-wired to be on alert — who’s crying, who needs me, where do I expend my time, energy and resources.
What should be easy, as mothers, is to be heard. To be listened to. To not be overlooked, by those we love and by those who are trained to care for us. For we, as mothers, are not statistics. We’re not robots, even though it feels that way a lot of the time.
Today is National Heart Day. Previous to meeting Synthia, this is generally just a day in which I may remember I was supposed to send my kids to school wearing red. Meeting Synthia changed that. While her story is not mine to tell — full of literal and figurative scar tissue, I will forever move forward with a pledge to do what I can to ensure I’m an advocate for women being heard. Particularly, when it comes to matters of the heart.
Synthia. February 6, 2020.
Know a new mom? Ask if she’s okay. Have a mother you care about? Ask about her heart — not just emotionally, but physically. Are you reading this? Schedule a check-up. As women, as mothers — with our own children or not – perhaps more important than taking care of anyone, is taking care of ourselves for a change.
Thank you for surviving, Synthia. The world has so much more heart in it, because of you.
Learn more about pregnancy induced heart failure here.