With arms wide open, I open my door. The lights are on. Come, be in my tribe.

New mom, exhausted from an infant who doesn’t sleep and needing rest, come, knock on my door. I can hold her while you sleep; it’s nice and quiet in my guest room. I promise: this does get better, even though it feels like it never will; I’ve been there. I want to help you. Come, be in my tribe.

Working mom, with the career of your dreams and the fruit of your hard work, I know you sometimes feel rushed to get the kids after work. Let me pick them up for you and when you’re finished with the meeting, swing by and get them. Come, be in my tribe.

Your youngest child is headed off to college in another month. Let’s talk about your experiences. How did you do it? Sometimes, the days seem so long. Can you help me figure this all out? I need your advice. Please. Come, be in my tribe.

Stay-at-home mom, I know you mostly love being at home, but sometimes, I think you crave a minute alone. I can take them to the park while you finally drink your cup of coffee in peace. Really, I’m going to the park anyway. Come, be in my tribe.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Heidi Erika Photography

Coworker with no kids of her own, I know it’s loud and messy here, but I really love it when you stop over. I can make you a pumpkin spiced latte and we can talk about the books you’ve been reading. Come, be in my tribe.

Your maternity leave is over, so stop in if you can on your way to work. I will have chocolate and tissues waiting here for you, tied together in a turquoise bow. This day will be hard, but chocolate made me feel better. Come, be in my tribe.

Neighbor, sweet neighbor. I love how you enjoy my kids and how you look at me knowingly, with the soft smile of a grandmother. You tell me how quickly it all goes and I partially know, because my small children are growing so fast. I need your wisdom. Come, be in my tribe.

Former student, not a mom and maybe never a mom – the choice is all yours. My daughter loves to climb into your lap with her book. I think I can help you with papers and stories and life. And maybe you could help me remember that while I’m a mother and a wife, I was a teacher first? Come, be in my tribe.

Single mom, raising your kids and being on duty 24/7. I can take your son for ice cream with mine after baseball practice since your daughter has dance at the same time. Would that help? Come, be in my tribe.

Mom of two, whose husband is deployed, come and eat dinner with my family. It’s the least we can do for your family’s service. I’m really not much of a cook, but we could order a pizza and cut some fresh lettuce from my garden. Come, be in my tribe.

Women. Mothers. Friends. Sisters. Aunts. Grandmothers. Nieces. Cousins. I know it can be hard to find your tribe with true friends who surround you. But maybe it doesn’t have to be hard? Let’s come together. Let’s be good to one another. It’s really that simple. Reach out to one another. Come, start your tribe. Come, join my tribe. Come, be in my tribe.

Excerpted from "A Letter for Every Mother" by Kara Lawler and Regan Long. (Copyright 2018) Used with permission from Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Kara Lawler and Regan Long wrote "A Letter for Every Mother" to show moms that we’re not alone! Compiling some of their very best pieces, many that went viral, the book seeks to build community and a tribe on the page. We hope that you pick up our book, cuddle up on the sofa with a class of wine or tea, and realize that we really are all in this motherhood thing together. Please join Kara and Regan's tribe by grabbing their new book, "A Letter for Every Mother," releasing on April 3.

If you loved this essay written by Kara, please join Kara and Regan's tribe by grabbing their new book, A LETTER FOR EVERY MOTHER, releasing April 3 and by joining them on Facebook. Kara and Regan can be found by clicking on our names.

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