When you miss a session remember it's been recorded so you can at least listen to it later.

This community exists for exactly this moment. For the mothers who won't be getting brunch reservations or handmade cards. For the ones who will spend Sunday wondering if their child thought of them at all. You belong here. And you are so deeply not alone. We want to hear from you this week. What would you want another mom in your situation to know she's not alone in feeling? Share it below — your words might be exactly what someone else needs to read today.

I love this emotions wheel … it’s interactive … https://interactiveemotionswheel.netlify.app/

I wasn't able to write the pearl in the chat box before the session ended but the bit about being curious when emotions get intense (which brings things out of the emotional brain and into the thinking brain) really reinforced a few things I've been learning from other sources this week. I actually saw a post on social media which stated that when you named an emotion, it was as effective in reducing emotional pain as acetominophen was in reducing physical pain. I did a trek down the cyber rabbit hole and discovered the scientific study that supported that. In addition it showed that suppress emotions makes makes emotional pain worse. Google the work of Matthew Lieberman, Professor of psychology, psychiatry at UCLA. The addition of "being curious" in the moment.....talking to oneself about what one is feeling, naming the feeling...has that same result of bringing the intense emotional pain/reaction/fight,flight,fright reaction out of the amygdala (historically reactive emotional part of the brain) and into the prefrontal cortex (thinking area) and apparently taking the amygdala "off line". It's pretty convincing and amazing research. Glad I learned that this week and it was reinforced today!

Like most in our PACT family, I had my highs and lows over the Mother's Day weekend. For days prior I wondered which of our 7 combined adult children I'd hear from and who I wouldn't hear from. Purposely kept some windows of time available incase someone wanted to visit or invited me over. Thought about how I'd fill my time on Sunday. My sweet husband is the senior lead mechanic at a gas generated power plant nearby. He had to work this weekend, so I knew I'd have more time alone than usual. Here's a glimpse of my weekend: Daughter, Ashley, and her family (hubby and 3 boys) completely welcomed me for a Friday overnight visit, at which my beloved niece and her husband also visited, driving back home to NH. My niece and I stayed at a comfy nearby motel, and stayed up late talking. After they left, I returned to my daughter's home on Saturday to play outside with my grandchildren, exchange gifts and have a delicious brunch. It was WONDERFUL, LOTS of hugs, laughs and cuddles! Sunday's Mother's Day church service was a loving and respectful tribute to mothers and all women who nurture and support families. Two heartfelt talks by church leaders were given about the important role of motherhood. The primary children (ages 3-12) sang sweet songs, and the youth handed out small colorful bouquets of flowers to all women in the church. Afterwards, there was a special Sunday School class for women and the girls in our Young Women group (ages 13 to 18). It was an intimate discussion on the important roles of mothers and women in families, and the reminder that God walks with us during all our trials and successes, guiding us with scriptures, church leaders, in prayer and through Holy Spirit. A delicious treat of cake, fruit and muffins was provided. There were lots of hugs and supportive words by women of all ages. With no other invitations to visit, I went home and SLEPT most the afternoon. I needed that rest. I received a lovely text message from the father of my estranged step-daughter's youngest son. I did not hear from her, although I sent her a Happy Mother's Day message (last I knew she Blocked all communication with me). I also got a nice text message from my step-son's wife, with an invitation to visit soon. This same step-son texted on Monday, sending his love and adding his invite for an upcoming visit. I must say I was VERY NERVOUS about not hearing from him. We have a very close relationship with long talks. It is his sister, my step-daughter, who ended our relationship in Nov last year, and I wondered what she may have told her brother. In their teens, they were definitely a united team, supporting each other in good or not so good with the "parents" :) Thankfully, time, experiences and life are shaping them into their own unique adults, which has shaped our relationships with them.