This Mother’s Day lands a little differently for me.
It’s tender. It’s layered. It’s love and loss mixed together.
Just three days ago, on May 9, I said goodbye to my beloved Murphy—my sweet, soulful pup, my companion, my shadow, my friend. He was, in so many ways, a child to me. A rescue with a sensitive heart, a big bark and immense beauty. He had a presence that filled the my world with comfort and joy.
He was mine, yes—but he was also, once, my mother’s. And this Mother’s Day, I find myself visiting her grave again, and feeling how deeply these threads of love and grief are interwoven.
When I last stood there, Murphy lay beside her gravestone in a quiet companionship I now realize was a kind of loving goodbye.
He was hers first, and now, in a strange and sacred way, I feel they’re together again. Their stories are intertwined. And mine continues.
Murphy March 24, 2025
Mothers Day April 11, 2025
Life is full of those connections—the ones we don’t even fully recognize until they echo in memory.
So today is a celebration of all that mothers us—our mothers, our children, our pets, our friends, our community. And it is also a day of honouring the many ways we grieve: openly, privately, quietly, fiercely.
Some of you reading this are in transition, in that space between what was and what will be. It’s a tender, uncertain, and brave place. You might be navigating change, loss, or asking yourself what’s next. And here’s what I want you to know:
You are not behind. You are not out of time. You are becoming.
Even in grief, there can be joy. Even in sorrow, there is still wonder. The ache of missing is also proof of having loved deeply. And your story is still being written.
Here are five steps to hold onto as you take your next steps:
Feel Fully Don’t bypass your emotions. Let the grief, the gratitude, the confusion, and the hope all have space. They coexist. That’s what makes you whole.
Honour What Was Whether it’s a mother, a dream, a season of life, or a faithful pup—honour what was with love. Celebrate it. Let it guide you forward, not hold you back.
Ask What You Want Now In every transition, there’s an opening. Use it. Ask yourself: What do I want next? What needs to be expressed, explored, or created?
Trust the Spark That flutter in your chest? That nudge toward something more? That’s not foolishness. That’s your soul trying to speak. Trust it.
Take the First Step You don’t have to know the whole path. Just take one bold, brave step forward. Movement creates clarity.
And if today feels tender for you, I see you. Whether you are mothering children, mothering dreams, or mothering your own inner healing—you are worthy of celebration.
Points to Ponder 💭 What grief am I still carrying that needs tending, not silencing? 💭 What do I want to be true in the next chapter of my life? 💭 What small, courageous act can I take this week to move toward that vision?
I believe in the power of deciding to begin again. Not perfectly. Not all at once. But faithfully.
As I reflect on my mother, I think about how present she was. I don’t think she ever fully got the chance to chase her own dreams — she gave so much of herself to us.
And I find myself hoping something different for my daughters: that they can be both deeply loving mothers and whole, fulfilled women in their own right.
And I hope that for you too. That you don’t just nurture others — but also tend to the dreams and desires that live inside you.
Because here’s the truth: There is more life ahead. There is more love to give and receive. There is more you to discover.
Even in grief, we can still laugh. Even in sadness, we can still create. Even in uncertainty, we can still move forward.
As for me, I’m heading toward a long-awaited trip to Italy—a journey of joy, discovery, and continued becoming. And I go with a full heart: grateful, grieving, growing.
This trip is a reminder to myself and maybe to you, too—that we’re still allowed to chase what lights us up. That we can hold joy and sadness in the same breath. That life, even in its hardest moments, still invites us to participate.
So today, I send love to every woman finding her way. You’re not alone. This journey is yours, and it’s sacred.
Take your time. Feel it all. Then rise, when you’re ready.
With love and hope, Marianne
P.S. If you’re ready to step into your next chapter and want someone to walk with you, I’d love to support you through 1:1 coaching. Together, we’ll help you reconnect with your clarity, confidence, and courage.
You can leave me a message at marianne@mariannepreston.com
How we can work with together:
90 minutes private session on “Your Next Chapter” – a laser coaching session to hone in on your top priorities and create clarity and a blueprint for moving forward.
1:1 Coaching opportunities exist. Currently have 2 spots.
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