Here’s to the woman who doesn’t want to be a mom, who feels she has to explain that decision to people who shouldn’t ask, but who really longs to be a spiritual mother to the kids she knows. She’s not filled with desire to have a child and is tired of trying to justify herself to others.
Here’s to the mom who isn’t yet a mom, who wants to be one so achingly much, who dreads today because it reminds her of all the unfulfilled hopes of her heart.
Here’s to the mom whose kids aren’t at home anymore, and she wonders if they’ll remember to call. She’s pretending it doesn’t matter, but her whole heart hangs on the joy of hearing their voices.
Here’s to the mom who has one or two or more babies missing from her arms today. There’s the deep pain of knowing she won’t get to be their mommy today, receive their kisses and cards and love.
Here’s to the mom whose teenager is frustrated and she doesn’t know why, and she gets the side-hug and the less-than-heartfelt, mumbled greeting. And she remembers him as a little baby who wouldn’t leave her side, and she’ll take that mumbled greeting, because her days with him are short.
Here’s to the mom who is sick and in pain and beats herself up for not being the mother she thinks she ought to be. She worries that those she loves wish she could be more, too. And she’s just tired of hurting and of missing out on the celebrations and daily events that must happen without her.
Here’s to the mom who wants to push rewind on her mothering and do it better: who wishes she’d shown more grace, let more things go, spent more time with her babies.
Here’s to the mom who misses her own mama…who cries today because she can’t call her mother and tell her she loves her.
Let’s all be so tender with each other today. Let’s love those who are our Physical Mothers and our Spiritual Mothers. Let’s be kind. Let’s honor one another for the roles we play in each other’s lives and families, the beautiful intertwining of it all, considering with thankfulness how lucky we are. We get to share all of the wisdom and love that all of these women possess, and our kids are immeasurably better for it.
Happy Mother’s Day.
