Bindi Shah

It’s March 2016, you’ve just been told that there is no further progression in the adoption process.

Your world starts crumbling around you. Time stops.

Dear one, here are 10 things I want you to know, on this 10th World Childless Week.

From your future self, 10 years later, in 2026.

1. Look at the way you’ve healed.

You’ve brought things to the surface… to heal, to release...and you continue to do so.

2. The childless community has brought you comfort & hope.

You found people who got you, and understood this complex life journey.

3. You had an amazing 50th birthday, with being People’s Champion for World Childless Week, the icing on the cake.

I am so proud of you.

4. You discovered that your childlessness had layers which ran through different aspects of life: Relationship breakdowns, health & adenomyosis, the adoption process – not one thing. You continue to discover more layers.

5. Your marriage got stronger with this layer of grief that you both work through.

6. You create a healing space from this traumatic experience. A space for others who are childless to be understood, and to heal.

This and your writing is part of your legacy.

7. You find your closest, best friend within the community. Neither of you would have met without your childlessness.

You are so grateful for this. The soul connection continues.

8. Your childless grief & healing brings up other disenfranchised parts of you to the surface. You discover your powerful, deep, woman of colour self.

9. You write heart-felt, emotional poetry and finally call yourself a writer.

You allow the more tender themes out through a pen name, and you self-publish a book of poetry.

I am so proud of you.

10. The life you live is one of value. I see an honest, bright, creative future ahead of you.

...ahead of me.