I am on a business trip in California and had to sneak off to the bathroom yesterday so no one would see me crying.  Tears of pure joy, ladies!  I look at our map of the Climbs and my heart is swelling with pride and a tangible sense of our amazing community of Warrior Moms.  To be honest, when I pitched the idea for this event to Katherine, I had thought that at least she would join me.  I had secret hopes that regular blog contributors like Amber Koter-Puline or Kate Kripke, might sign up.  Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the rally of Warrior Moms to the cause that is happening right now.

I’m also remembering those days when I was secretly crying in the bathroom shower when Henry was born because I was so scared by the intrusive thoughts that were consuming me.  During these dark days, it was hard to have hope.  I honestly felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel.  I remember my doula,  a wise woman who had so much experience with childbirth, telling me that she had seen many women like me and that I had to trust her that I would get better.  It was so hard to take that leap of faith but I tried to believe her.  So you moms who are out there suffering right now with postpartum depression or other related mood disorders, please look at our map— 51 climbs and growing!  Each one represents a real warrior mom (or two or three) who has been where you are today and has found herself again or is on the road to healing.  Your tears of fear, sorrow, or rage will one day, too, become tears of joy and gratitude.  And look at our map and know that an army of warrior moms have your back until that day comes.

So for you cool climbers, here’s what you can expect from us in the next week.  On my flight home tomorrow, I’m going to draft the email I’m going to send to all my peeps asking them to support our Climb and to donate to Postpartum Progress, Inc.  I will share that with you all in case you need a little help composing your own requests for donations.  And we are making a flyer that you can use to announce your Climb and ask for donations.  Watch for it here.

Next week I’m going to find my inner 10-year old Girl Scout cookie sales spirit and hit the streets in my town, flyer in hand.  I’m going to ask every business where I shop for food, clothes, cappuccino, wine and anything else to support us.  I will then share my experience with you all … what worked and how best to make the pitch.  I am also going to reach out to my local newspapers and television stations to see if I can generate some press coverage.  We’re working on a draft press release format to share, and I’ll blog about how those conversations with reporters go.  I usually keep my big mouth far away from news people so this will be another new experience and I’ll share anything I learn that works.

Stay tuned.

Love, Deborah Rimmler

P.S. A message from Katherine – I’m actually going to be in Paris, France, next week on vacation with my family, but I’m so excited about this I’m going to find my nearest internet cafe every day for at least a little bit so that I can post Deborah’s updates, keep the Climb Out Of The Darkness map going and more. Warrior Moms, you are blowing me away!!!!!!