A Desire to Nourish Mamas - episode 67
This episode is GOOD. It features Vivienne who has developed a niche supporting women during pregnancy and post partum. Here is something I know about her. She is flexible and patient. How do I know that? Well, we got through a lot of our conversation before Vivienne pointed out to me the call did not seem to be recording. She was right. And what a trooper to go for take 2. Her kindness and graciousness - I am most grateful.
It’s funny how you can have things in common with people you don’t know you until your start getting to know each other. Communicating, connecting are two things Instagram promotes. And then having that conversation that really seals the deal. Vivienne IS patient, she is kind and she cares a whole lot about women having an optimal experience of wellness during their season of pregnancy. You can find her at viviennestallwood.com and on IG: @Vivienne_stallwood_.
Authentic. Loyal. Genuine.
— Vivienne
It’s in the Little Things
Thoughts from A Desire to Nourish Mamas
Vivienne specializes in mothers. We all have mothers. Some of us had optimal experiences while others did not. And of course there is always the in-between. Even if you did not have an idyllic relationship with your own mom, who spoke life into you at every turn, hopefully you have had mother figures who did. I have a close relationship with my own mother and she did a solid job raising my brother and me single-handedly. Was it perfect? Of course not. But it definitely did the trick.
Looking back I see there were other women who had a tremendous influence on the woman I became. The woman I am. When I stop to think about it I remember I met them as a young adult, at the time you are trying to figure out who you are. Sometimes we don’t even realize the impact someone is having, or had, on our lives unless we take some time to reflect, to look back.
First up: Joan. Gosh, I can hardly express the level of admiration I have for her. She did not try to help shape me. She just did by being fully herself. By loving me exactly as I was, and am. She was very accepting and still is. Joan gets that love does. She loves through listening, through showing interest in your life, through cooking for you, through spending time with you. She is the real deal. I hope you have a Joan in your life and/or that you can be a Joan to someone else. It matters because you matter. And so do they.
Next is Pam. She is married to my dad and has been for over 40 years. I don’t think of her as the traditional stepmom as they married when I was grown. In the early years she was shy and quiet. We didn’t start to become close until our son Christian passed away. Pam was there for our family in a big way then, and that closeness has continued to this day. She is thoughtful, kind and warm. Pam remembers the special days, and with a card or a phone call you know she is thinking of you, that you matter to her.
I guess that is a kind of bottom line. That I matter to these two women, Joan and Pam. They see me, hear me, and value me. How could that not be the ultimate thing we could do for anyone. Let people know you are there for them. Put some skin in the game, in your relationships by showing up, being present and letting people know they matter to you. Love can be big gestures or…
It’s in the little things.
Playful. Loving. Selfless.
— Joan
Caring. Thoughtful. Faith-filled.
— Pam
