The Party & The Deflated Balloon (A Postpartum Reality)
June 7, 2020![](https://thebirdspapaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ScreenShot2020-05-18at11.41.49AM.png)
A woman’s body is revered, respected and adored when pregnant. But much like a deflated balloon, after birth, the party seems to be over.
It’s been 10 years since I gave birth.
About only 3 years since I began to emotionally heal and show my body the respect it deserved, postpartum.
I’ve been shushed many times by those who will believe postpartum is only a one year term, ostracizing me for a delay in healing, even when the words themselves mean “after birth”.
This is me, 10 years after birth.
Respecting my postpartum body, my existence in life after birth.
I never really thanked her for how she grew. I never really celebrated her in the years after.
Today I stand here and I have some better narratives.
Today I stand here, in the evidence of life, in the presence of celebration.
For even deflated balloons know, life and the memories we make in it extends far beyond parties anyhow.
![Screen Shot 2020-05-18 at 11.42.00 AM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b9c03493e2d09733d7048ba/1589816573053-VCC8LG52FGM8UO16B740/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kFdMZG3UFS0-57OK16mrDcsUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8PaoYXhp6HxIwZIk7-Mi3Tsic-L2IOPH3Dwrhl-Ne3Z2skzzreMl9XnsaLkL4kRpEuP0EntatMAqzJ3LLxSnfnQKMshLAGzx4R3EDFOm1kBS/Screen+Shot+2020-05-18+at+11.42.00+AM.png)