Adriana Rodriguez-Baptiste

Mother Nature remains unfazed by our emotions.
Her silence is steady
a balm for the ache of being childless.
Our feelings aren’t contagious,
yet in Her presence,
we find comfort,
a quiet companionship
that eases the loneliness.
Many women without children
carry the weight of societal stigma
shame, self-doubt,
the ache of feeling different.
We’ve been met with pity,
envy, disappointment,
and judgment
from family, friends,
and the world around us.
When these emotions swell,
I turn to my garden.
Wandering through it
with a free-flowing mind,
I watch the plants
change, grow, struggle,
and bear fruit.
After a long session
of weeding or watering,
I feel refreshed.
just like the plants themselves.
Suddenly, anger fades.
Sadness softens.
Loneliness lifts.
And I remember:
though I may be childless,
I still nurture life.
I still grow.
The feeling of being different dissolves,
replaced by connection,
by purpose,
by peace.
Mother Nature, our consistent teacher and Mom.