I think we're about done...

Thanks again.

I had this strange experience last night, I woke up in the middle of the night (well that's not strange, I'm Amy and I'm a Forty-Year Old Nightwaker : ) and started thinking about weaning. At first I had a sort of panic attack, because nursing has really changed me at the core of my being and I wondered if my creativity and strength would stop coming as my milk stops coming. Then I realized that life doesn't work that way, and the creativity and strength and life-giving that I've been doing through nursing I'll still be doing, but in different and equally wonderful ways. It's so hard to articulate exactly how nursing changed me, but it opened a door to my soul and spirit that I had shut long ago, and it empowered me, freed me, compelled me to be myself, stand up for myself, know myself, in ways I had been able to deny before. So opposite of the images of nursing I have read in mainstream and even well-loved feminist writings. I have never felt like a cow, just there to be stupid and give milk. On the contrary, I have felt called to my deepest intelligence and strength as I gave and sustained life and health for these two little new lives. I have never felt like the "many-breasted mother" so decried by my sister feminists (presumably outside of MDC ) as the woman who is forced to nurse the planet against her weak will. On the contrary, I have felt that my body's ability to make and sustain life focused my priorities and taught me for the very first time in my life the value of that little word "No." It also taught me the very great value of that big word "YES." No to things that don't matter, yes yes yes to all the possibilities life has to offer.

I have really appreciated this forum along this journey. I have never tuned into my instincts before like I have when nursing, and this forum specifically has helped hone those instincts. I know that for some of you my journey seems short, and I like that I'm writing this in a place where my family counts as EARLY weaners. I am so proud to be part of a community that supports children nursing as long as they need and want to do so, and I appreciate the support here for me and my children as well.

Blessings on all mamas and nurslings!