Your past doesn’t define the mom you are today. And who you are today is what matters.

You are the hope that she can get better.

You are the hope for that twenty-year-old girl who struggles with an eating disorder.

The one who thinks her life can’t and won’t get better.

The one who feels far gone.

You are the hope that she can turn her life around,

get her body and mind healthy, and eventually, have babies (if she chooses to).

That she will not struggle and be alone forever if she chooses recovery.

You are the hope for the young woman strung out on drugs who doesn’t think she can beat addiction.

The one who doesn’t think twice about her future because she’s too busy finding her next fix.

You are the hope that she can turn her life around,

get her body and mind healthy, and eventually, have babies (if she chooses to).

That she will not struggle and be alone forever if she chooses recovery.

You are the hope for the young woman who struggles with depression and anxiety.

The one who feels like everyone would be happier without her and her problems.

You are the hope that she can feel differently about herself,

get her body and mind healthy, and eventually, have babies (if she chooses to).

That she will not struggle and be alone forever if she chooses recovery.

Your past doesn’t define the mom you are today, but those experiences made you into an even better mom. Because the moms who’ve been through adversity are usually more compassionate, resilient, and know what’s really important.

Because the mother in recovery from an eating disorder knows how hurtful words can be, so she’ll choose them wisely.

Because the mother in recovery from drug addiction understands making mistakes and would never preach perfection.

Because the mother with depression and anxiety will teach her kids inclusion because she knows what it’s like to feel worthless and would never want anyone to feel like that.

Because the lessons we have from our pasts are invaluable.

Your yesterday doesn’t define the mom you are today--

but it helped shape you into who you are today, tomorrow, and the next day—

and that’s what matters.

This post originally appeared on the author's Facebook. Her book Living FULL: Winning My Battle with Eating Disorder is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2O4mJId