This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.
As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.
Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.
Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.
After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.
While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.
His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.
Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.
This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.
Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.
And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.
Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.
And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍
I found your blog today and I’m so glad! I will travel to Vietnam this year, the first time alone and your tips are amazing. Just like this Cardigan. 😀
I’m having trouble entering the giveaway, the Rafflecopter icon just spins around forever, and won’t load. I’ve tried restarting my computer, but it just does the same thing. My internet working well otherwise. Do you have any ideas?
That’s so strange! I just tried troubleshooting and it seems to be working fine. Have you tried opening the blog post in another browser? So if you’re using Safari, for example, try using Chrome or Firefox to see if it’s a browser issue. If you’re still having problems please let me know!
It’s odd, I tried it on my tablet and I’m able to use rafflecopter there, and I use Chrome on my laptop and tablet. Weird. Thank you!
What color was the dress Nicole won? Looking to get one and love the color she is wearing and I can’t tell if it’s a charcoal, navy or black. Thank you for letting me know!