How is it that one single day can bring up a bazillion different emotions because of the name we gave it! Mother’s Day.
I can celebrate that my mom is still here when last summer we were told that she might not make it until Christmas. I can feel a little melancholy while I cherish every moment knowing this could be my last day to physically celebrate the woman who gave me life.
I can grieve with my friends that are in the middle of infertility struggles.
I can cry with the mom’s who have a child in heaven before them.
I can share the joy with friend’s being celebrated as mom for the first time.
I can sit in hope with those mom’s that are growing their little ones on the inside and mourn with those who never got to see their babies take a breath.
I can hold hands with the mom who made the courageous decision to give their child life when they could not care for them personally.
I can sit in awe at the foster and adoption mom’s that love as if they gave birth to their children.
I can be grateful for the blended family moms who chose the family package deal. You don’t know the pain or the pleasure that will come with that decision though I believe you tap into a whole new area of love as you walk that road.
I can hold in high regard the mom-inlaws … they raised their children to then let them go to become a family as they choose their spouse and continue living. The possibility of adding another child 20 to 30 years into a parenting journey can’t be easy, but then, with God all things are possible.
There are as many stories and emotions as there are women on the planet. I have friends in all the different stages of motherhood that I listed …. and for many of them, all I can do is pray for God to give me empathy and compassion as I live life with them. God’s got all moms too!
One of the most frequent questions I get is “How many kids do you have?” I guess there is something about my vibe that indicates that I have children (the two legged human kind). Though I guess that is not surprising. As I was growing up, I though God really wanted me to be a mom. That was my goal and dream for over 20 years.
At 29, I had to have an emergency hysterectomy. My chance to carry, birth and raise my own child ended. All of the surgery preparations focused on adopting and preparing paperwork to move forward. What we didn’t know then, was the surgery opened up a whole new world of medical issues that made me ineligible to adopt. I questioned everything in my life during that season all the way down to my femininity and value as a woman, a wife and a daughter.
I am never going to claim understand why God chose this as my path. I do understand deeply, that God’s plan is always perfect even when it doesn’t make sense to me. His timing is always perfect, even if it doesn’t match my plans. And God’s love and grace are far beyond anything imaginable. He gently carried me through my own grief and showed me the importance of being a spiritual mom, a special aunt, or momma bear when someone needs you to just be with them in whatever hot mess the world has thrown at them ….
God took “mom” and turned it into love well and serve others no matter what. Give care ~ Now 18 years later, when the longing comes in and a friend has a baby and now friends having grandbabies, He still holds me and reminds me that I am on His perfect path for me. He gave me my ability to feel so many mixed emotions deeply this mothers day … to honor Him, today, I choose to laugh, smile and bond with other dog mommas as I plan to watch “my boys” wrestle and play with friends at the dog park. Find your joy … Celebrate life and love well today!
