Saturday, May 10, 2008

Mother's Day


Yesterday I was thinking about what it means to be a mother. For another purpose and in another spot I wrote this for some special moms. Because I have such a great mom and because I know so many too ... I thought this might bring you a smile today.
Here it goes:

Happy Mother's Day to Every Mom


Mother’s Day brings for many women affirmation of our sense of purpose. Yes jobs and hobbies are fulfilling. School degrees and clean homes are important. All of the history we bring to present helps make us who we are … Being a mother is a sacred job.

If ever a woman’s heart twisted with happy anticipation whenever she felt a wiggle in her womb … If ever a mother giggled triumphantly when her baby spit out stewed carrots but swept it back in again with his tongue …. If ever a mother’s heart split in two when her daughter was not chosen for the team …. Then you wear the shimmering banner “Mother” across your shoulders more inspiringly than Ms. America.

Some mothers lose their babies before a noticeable wiggle or after first steps. There may be none or few photographs proudly adorning living room walls. Unused or barely used cribs may wait lovingly re-packaged in attics or basements. The sound of tiny footsteps running down the hall may be a yearned for echo only in our dreams. Yet these women are undeniably mothers.

Some mothers may have babies born far too soon or with a serious birth defect. First pictures were snapped inside a sterile intensive care unit soon after baby was quickly taken from mom. Bedside bonding may include reading a book by bili light or pressing head against isolette to count baby’s toes. Everything is different. How can anything be the same again? Yet these women are most definitely mothers.

Some mothers rejoice in a full term, happy baby. First time moms may take a deep breath and wonder why baby was not delivered with a “how to” manual. Moms two, three, four times over may immediately fall in love with their new addition, a sloppy baby sitting on her chest. Other moms may feel overwhelmed at the mysteries of motherhood. All of these women are certainly mothers.

Whether you have lost a baby, have survivors or have living children all born healthy …. Happy Mother’s Day. No matter your experience with motherhood ….I wish you this: Peaceful moments in a day celebrating you. All you are. All you’ve been through. All the different roads you’ve taken to exhale in this moment. You are a mother full of special insights and gifts. Thank you for wearing the banner called “Motherhood”.

Sending this to you with love and best
wishes! - Melissa

3 comments:

Juliette said...

Happy Mother's Day, Melissa!

Jodi said...

I just visited your blog from a link on little Ryan's. Thank you for your post on Motherhood. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

karinco said...

I did read your other post but didn't get a chance to comment.
This is such a beautiful testament to motherhood, Melissa. Your words are so beautiful and meaningful and most importantly, so very, very true.

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's day!!

Karen