🌿 Becoming
The Beauty of Growing Anyway
💗🌿
The Beauty of Growing Anyway 💗🌿
This past Mother’s Day weekend felt a little different.
I was celebrating my youngest daughter’s ninth birthday—her Golden Birthday—and found myself reflecting on the whole journey of becoming a mother in the first place. She shares her birthday weekend with Mother’s Day every year, and I always joke that she gets her gifts before I do. Honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. My children are some of God’s greatest gifts, and being their mother is an honor I don’t take lightly.
As a woman living with Sickle Cell (SS), there was a time when physicians made motherhood seem like a mountain I shouldn't try to climb. They made it seem too dangerous, something my body couldn't handle. Yet, here I am, 40 years old, a vessel for life anyway.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it actually means to grow. It’s not always loud. It’s not always about the money or the social status. Sometimes, growth is quiet. Sometimes, it's just about becoming.
The Balcony Sanctuary & The Cucumber Bandit
If you’ve been following my reels, you know my balcony has become my peace. I told my husband the other day that I needed a hug, then laughed and said, "Actually… I just need my plants."
I’ve started planting seeds and watching small things bloom. Right now, I’ve got a whole squad out there: carrots, red habanero peppers, tomatoes, basil, and thyme. And then there are the cucumbers. My daughter—my little "Cucumber Bandit"—was dying to plant those, and watching them sprout has been our favorite part of the day. But the other day we had a critter visit overnight. The next morning, the cucumber sprouts were gone. We planted some marigolds to deter those little munchers away.
Gardening as a Warrior is holistic medicine. It’s low impact but high reward. Seeds are so tiny, yet they push through the dirt to become something fragrant and strong. It reminded me that even when Sickle Cell makes us feel "behind" or stagnant while everyone else is running ahead, we are still becoming. Growth is happening underground, even in the seasons where we are just resting and surviving.
The Academic Reset
Speaking of the "hustle," my two accelerated sociology courses at Lamar are finally coming to an end. I’ll have my final grades soon (fingers crossed!), but I’ve made a decision: I’m skipping the summer semester.
This spring has drained me. Between school, the kids' schedules, and managing my health, the fatigue has been real. I’ve realized that being a "conqueror" also means knowing when to retreat and recharge. I’ll be back in the fall, but for now, I’m choosing a summer of rest and stewardship.
Austin Bound: The ESCAPE Retreat
On the advocacy side, I’m headed to Austin on May 22nd! I’ll be attending the ESCAPE Retreat hosted by the Marc Thomas Foundation. This is my first time in Austin, and we’ll be staying at the Renaissance Hotel.
I’m excited to share my journey, catch the vibes of the city, and connect with other Warriors in a space meant for healing and reflection. Expect a lot of photos and updates from that trip!
Medical Update & Moving Forward
I’ve officially finished my latest round of iron infusions, and I’ll be seeing my doctor at the end of the month to check the labs. My hemoglobin usually likes to play games (fluctuating between 6.8 and 7.2), but I’m feeling okay. I'm learning to be present for the "in-between" moments—the ones that don't make the highlight reel but make up the heart of our lives.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a mother, a student, or a Warrior fighting an invisible battle, remember: you are still blooming, even if you’re still "underground" right now.
Stay Mellow. Stay Undefeated.
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In Solidarity,
Whitney Lyn
Founder, Warriors Speak Ou
