Invisible Wound

When a mother gives birth, the placenta leaves a large wound that bleeds until healing. Her uterus also has to reshape itself after stretching to accommodate the baby. Typically six weeks is seen as an expected time of healing. Typically the mother is thrilled to have a baby, yet also feels the surprising sense of separation inherent in no longer carrying the child internally.

Over the next 18 or so years as the child grows in all dimensions, the mother's heart is stretched to accommodate. When the child leaves home, an invisible wound occurs as she adjusts to the physical absence of this once baby. Her heart has to figure out how to adjust to the new separation, how to reshape itself to this new reality.

Society doesn't easily recognize this adjustment. Many people rejoice in the change, and many who ask about it expect the new empty nester to be thrilled with the freedom gained. Like the original birth, joy comes with the change, and yet, nevertheless, a wound that weeps as it tries to heal.