What's in Your Mother's Day Heart?

Two days after I gave birth to my firstborn, I received a Mother’s Day card, and I wept. What kind of mother has no child?

Several days later, as we were leaving the funeral for my son, Gavin Michael, my good friend said to me, “You’re a great mom, and he’s so lucky to have you.”

It took me a few years to recognize that even though I didn’t have the opportunity to do the traditional “Mom” things, I was his mother in so many ways, ways that were merely (and vastly) different than what we humans expect or envision about Motherhood.

In the past two-plus decades, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on my friend’s proclamation, and the terms Mom and Motherhood have taken on an entirely new depth for me.

What’s in YOUR Mother’s Day heart, Neighbor?

In the hours, weeks, and months leading up to Mothers’ Days across the globe, marketing and media streams are filled with all Celebrate Mom things–commercials, articles, and images encouraging gratitude, love, and reflections on how we were nurtured.

Bereavement based outlets are filled with all things Missing Mom, heartfelt longing from those young and adult children whose mother’s have died.

While other grief related sites are chock-full of compassion for Moms Missing their Moppets…mothers whose children have died.

Those categories cover a larger class of people than any of us might want to imagine, yet there are so, so many more people, “Moms,” who need to be remembered and recognized, too…

If you, Neighbor, on Mother’s Day, are somehow feeling sad, mad, shame, depressed, deprived, less than special, or [insert your whatever]–regardless of the circumstance(s) leading to your conflict or sorrow–please know you are not alone.

I feel you. I see you. I honor and salute you, all of you who carry a mother’s love in your heart, but may not be able to show or share it because something is standing between you and that nurturing.

You are a mother of many things and in so many ways. You are worthy. You are loved. You are wanted. You are needed. You deserve to live your best life and to celebrate You, Neighbor.

If any of these Mothering circumstances apply to you, You are a Mother and I celebrate and salute YOU, too.

You, who have dreamt of being a mom, but for whatever reason, those dreams have not materialized…