Motherhood Series with Grace McGurk

IN HER WORDS

featuring

Grace McGurk

Perth, Australia • Mother of Sebastian (our angel baby), 15-month-old twins, Addison (Addie) and Edward (Teddy)

A gentle note before you read: Grace's story includes her experience of stillbirth and pregnancy loss. Please be gentle with yourself as you read.

This week, I want to introduce you to Grace.

Grace is a mother to Sebastian, her angel baby who would have turned two this January, and her twins, Addie and Teddy, who are fifteen months old. She lives in Perth, and her story, the one she has so generously shared, is one of the most courageous and tender things I have ever had the privilege of reading. Grace radiates so much love and warmth, she has a way of making everyone around her feel at ease.

I won't say too much before her words speak for themselves. But I will say this: Grace is a reminder that motherhood holds everything, the deepest grief and the purest joy, sometimes within the same breath. I am honoured she chose to share it here.

Name: Grace McGurk Children: Sebastian (our angel baby, who would have turned 2 in January), and our 15-month-old twins, Addison (Addie) and Edward (Teddy) Location: Perth, Western Australia

When you think back to the moment you became a mother, what do you remember most clearly?

Two vastly different memories come to mind, each etched into me with equal permanence.

In January 2024, I birthed my stillborn son, Sebastian. I remember being completely shattered and somehow overflowing with love at the same time, a kind of love that had nowhere to go and yet filled every part of me. It was motherhood in its rawest, most heartbreaking form, nothing like what I imagined, but it shaped me profoundly. It softened parts of me and strengthened others.

And then, eleven months later, two months ahead of schedule and in a slightly dramatic fashion, my twins arrived by emergency C-section. The moment I heard their cries, a wave of calm and pure elation washed over me. When they were placed on my chest together, tiny, furious, and perfect, it felt like everything briefly paused. That moment is stitched into my heart. I think about it nearly every day.

What surprised you about motherhood that no one really prepared you for?

How much mothers are capable of, emotionally, physically, spiritually.

The sleepless nights, the triple-feeding schedules, the tandem feeding of twins, learning to do absolutely everything with at least one baby attached to me, the mysterious stains on every item of clothing I own, the way "going to the bathroom alone" becomes a distant memory. The list is endless. It's a lot. And it's hard. But somehow, you get up and do it again the next day, and with a bit of distance, you realise you're doing an incredible job.

And in all of it, I've been constantly reminded of how lucky I am to do this with my wife, through the chaos, the humour, and the 3am everything.

In what ways have you grown or changed since becoming a mother?

In every possible way.

I've become softer and stronger at the same time. I've learned patience I didn't know existed, resilience I never wanted to need, and a depth of love that feels like it rewired my entire nervous system. I trust myself more. I'm braver. And I've discovered that even on the hardest days, I can always find pockets of joy.

What is a small, ordinary moment with your children that feels deeply meaningful?

Every morning when I walk into their room and see those huge smiles, it gets me every time. Their joy is so pure and uncomplicated. It's one of the best parts of my day and a reminder of just how lucky we are to have them.

What does love look like when you're exhausted?

Love, when I'm exhausted, is doing the things no one sees, the settling, the soothing, the comforting, even when every part of me is tired. It's the version of me that still gives, even when I feel empty.

Is there a daily ritual that grounds you in this season of motherhood?

Each morning, while my wife makes the babies breakfast, I take a very hot shower. Those few minutes of quiet and stillness feel like a small reset button, a moment to breathe before the beautiful chaos begins. And then, yes, the very large coffee that follows helps too.

What do you feel most proud of in your motherhood journey so far?

Surviving the unimaginable loss of Sebastian, finding the strength to step back into IVF, and bringing Addie and Teddy into the world. That combination of heartbreak and hope feels like the truest testament to motherhood I could ever offer.

What kind of legacy, emotional or otherwise, do you hope to pass on?

I want my babies to grow up strong, independent, and kind. If they move through the world with empathy and confidence, then I'll feel like I've done my job well.

If you could speak to yourself at the beginning of motherhood, what would you say?

You don't need all the answers on day one. You'll learn, you'll adjust, and you'll surprise yourself. Trust your instincts, they're stronger than your doubts. And remember to breathe.

Grace, thank you. For your courage, your openness, and the grace with which you carry all of it. Sebastian's love lives in these words, and in the extraordinary mother you have become.

I know this will find its way to a mother who needs it today.

With love,

Kirst x x x

GRACE'S PICKS