Perhaps I'm too introspective, but as I celebrated the 4th of July this year, I began to ask myself, "What is true freedom?" When I think about our culture, freedom seems to mean the ability to live unfettered, unattached and unencumbered. The word freedom seems to currently carry the connotation that we can live how we want with no strings attached, and anything less is oppressive. What comes to mind when you hear the word, Freedom?

Sometimes I live in fear for my children.

Fear they’ll walk the same dreadful path I did. Fear I’m not good enough. Fear I’m not what they need. Fear I don’t measure up to the “got-it-all-together-beloved-mama” label that’s been plastered across my forehead.

It's exhausting, and I just want to do it right.