Leah Kim

A literary addendum to the Voices on the Side podcast. Notes on my conversation with Ruby Sheng Nichols.

As a mother, I stand with ALL children. There is literally no justification for even one child to have to suffer, live in fear, or die in violence.

What happens when someone with body dysmorphia gets pregnant? First time around when I had my son, the voice of my disorder overtook any wisdom and compassion. This time around being pregnant with my daughter, I resolve to be stronger.

Sue's story moves through four generations from her own mother through to her granddaughters. She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, community, and learning from children. Her story will leave you wanting to live forward full of hope.

Postpartum depression robbed me of my ability to feel joy when I had my first baby. While pregnant with my second, I knew I could not control how I would feel. Would it feel like "the most precious time"? All I could do was lean into support and trust that the joy would come in its own way and time.