We remember you

I wrote this post last year, but never managed to share it. Mother's Day still holds many conflicting emotions for me. I celebrate the joy of being a mother every day, and do not need a day full of flowers and hallmark cards to bring awareness to it. This day reminds me of they many years spent in sadness, waiting.  It was especially difficult to go to church, where they handed out flowers to all the ladies and talked about motherhood in a way that made me feel like crap. 

However, last year my husband shared something at church on Mother's Day.  I couldn't believe his boldness, but I am super proud of him.  I wanted to share the poem he read with you.  I love it, and treasure these words.  I think everyone needs to hear them.

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To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heartache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.