My friend and I are writing a short story that provides an ironical and shocking response to the patriarchal autocracy that has blossomed here in the U.S. The scenario in our story (women empowered by their resentment of men) is equally unbalanced when taken to extremes. Elise your essay suggests the antidote these extremes: the mothering salve of love, common sense, and courage for both men and women. Let's start teaching our children well.
This is such a thoughtful piece Elise - I haven't wanted to consume anything written by men recently, and I feel like you captured here what's at the core of my rejection: the fearful, sharp-edgedned-ness of their words that would be so much more impactful and resonant if those words were woven with love, courage, and heart instead. I have two small children claiming much of my attention and brainpower, and sometimes I feel like I can't exact my thoughts about the world; your newsletters always offer a reorientation to myself, which I'm so grateful for. 💛
Beautiful and earth shattering… The line, the more macho the society, the more it worships Mary, that one totally sat me down. I’m out walking and had to stop and sit to take that in.
What a holy grail of an essay. I mean that in the most literal way. How can we hold the expansive but in a precise way so we can feel the edges, contain it without getting lost or overwhelmed.
This was a tidal wave of fierce grace. You’ve named what too many still whisper: that mothering is not biology—it’s a spiritual technology. A radical posture of presence in a world hemorrhaging from disconnection. The archetypal feminine isn’t a gendered relic—it’s the medicine, the resistance, the root system we forgot we needed.
And yes—when the world breaks, it’s the mothers (in all their forms) who show up to hold the line, catch the children, and transmute despair into defiant compassion. Thank you for reminding us that true strength is the capacity to stay open when everything begs us to shut down.
Incredibly powerful and relevant words. As a former pastor who has been both greatly harmed and incredibly supported by church members, and who now helps others who are deconstructing/recovering from toxic religious beliefs and communities, I am grateful for your words and work.
This is incredible and deeply impactful to read, Elise—thank you. As a childless woman, I’ve been sitting with similar questions around mothering. I wrote something on Mother’s Day about how mothering doesn't feel to me to be bound to biology or a specific life stage. I think, as you put forward here so compellingly, we need to expand our view of mothering as beyond child-raising-- it’s consciousness-raising and nurturing possibility. There is so much consciousness to support raising at this moment (within and without)! :(/ (: Whether through stories, activism, mentoring, or writing boldly as you do here, we mother the future every time we embody what we wish existed.
My heart is with the mothers of Gaza who right now are watching their children starve because of an aid blockade not to mention them being mangled and maimed by Israeli and American bombs on a daily basis. I think the front line of democracy has ceased to be a physical place anymore and is now a space occupied by those willing to stand up and speak of the grave injustices being done, not just to one group of people but to all people.
Wow. This is such a powerful piece of writing Elise. Thank you for putting the words to something I haven’t been able to articulate but have felt in my heart for so long. 🙏
amennnnn mother
My friend and I are writing a short story that provides an ironical and shocking response to the patriarchal autocracy that has blossomed here in the U.S. The scenario in our story (women empowered by their resentment of men) is equally unbalanced when taken to extremes. Elise your essay suggests the antidote these extremes: the mothering salve of love, common sense, and courage for both men and women. Let's start teaching our children well.
This is such a thoughtful piece Elise - I haven't wanted to consume anything written by men recently, and I feel like you captured here what's at the core of my rejection: the fearful, sharp-edgedned-ness of their words that would be so much more impactful and resonant if those words were woven with love, courage, and heart instead. I have two small children claiming much of my attention and brainpower, and sometimes I feel like I can't exact my thoughts about the world; your newsletters always offer a reorientation to myself, which I'm so grateful for. 💛
Yes, we can.
Beautiful and earth shattering… The line, the more macho the society, the more it worships Mary, that one totally sat me down. I’m out walking and had to stop and sit to take that in.
What a holy grail of an essay. I mean that in the most literal way. How can we hold the expansive but in a precise way so we can feel the edges, contain it without getting lost or overwhelmed.
I pray my body to be a shield and a cup.
This was a tidal wave of fierce grace. You’ve named what too many still whisper: that mothering is not biology—it’s a spiritual technology. A radical posture of presence in a world hemorrhaging from disconnection. The archetypal feminine isn’t a gendered relic—it’s the medicine, the resistance, the root system we forgot we needed.
And yes—when the world breaks, it’s the mothers (in all their forms) who show up to hold the line, catch the children, and transmute despair into defiant compassion. Thank you for reminding us that true strength is the capacity to stay open when everything begs us to shut down.
This isn’t soft. This is sacred.
—Virgin Monk Boy
Incredibly powerful and relevant words. As a former pastor who has been both greatly harmed and incredibly supported by church members, and who now helps others who are deconstructing/recovering from toxic religious beliefs and communities, I am grateful for your words and work.
Love this!
This is incredible and deeply impactful to read, Elise—thank you. As a childless woman, I’ve been sitting with similar questions around mothering. I wrote something on Mother’s Day about how mothering doesn't feel to me to be bound to biology or a specific life stage. I think, as you put forward here so compellingly, we need to expand our view of mothering as beyond child-raising-- it’s consciousness-raising and nurturing possibility. There is so much consciousness to support raising at this moment (within and without)! :(/ (: Whether through stories, activism, mentoring, or writing boldly as you do here, we mother the future every time we embody what we wish existed.
Thank you so much. Honestly you articulated a very tricky concept so clearly. I'm going to be thinking about that for a while.
My heart is with the mothers of Gaza who right now are watching their children starve because of an aid blockade not to mention them being mangled and maimed by Israeli and American bombs on a daily basis. I think the front line of democracy has ceased to be a physical place anymore and is now a space occupied by those willing to stand up and speak of the grave injustices being done, not just to one group of people but to all people.
Oh, this certainly tugs at me. Thank you.
Amen! xx
Wow. This is such a powerful piece of writing Elise. Thank you for putting the words to something I haven’t been able to articulate but have felt in my heart for so long. 🙏
gorgeous, necessary piece
Such a beautiful and important post. Thank you, Elise.