Mother's Day

I was once the childless woman on Mother's Day. For six years, we longed to be parents and wondered if we would ever be blessed with that which seemed to come so easily for everyone but us. Then came our Benjamin and I was finally able to celebrate Mother's Day with a child in my arms. I have also been the bereaved woman on Mother's Day. After only two years of joyful celebrations, Mother's Day became bittersweet for me because of my daughter's death. I celebrated for the child in my arms and grieved for the child I could no longer hold. I wondered if Mother's Day would ever be joyful for me again. Now I am the waiting mother; waiting for a 4th Mother's Day for our rainbow to come; full of hope and longing for the day she will finally be here; full of joy for the child still in my arms; and, by the grace of God, full of peace over the child I am no longer able to hold, but will see again one day in Heaven. I now see Mother's Day so differently. I see it as an opportunity to send a card to a bereaved mother whose child cannot be in her arms this Mother's Day. And a way to love on the mothers who are taking care of sick children who may not be here for another Mother's Day. It's also an opportunity to care about the women who want to be mothers, but are on the infertility rollercoaster and grieving each month for the child that was not conceived, as well as all of the motherless daughters and sons whose mother's are not here to be celebrated. Mother's Day is bittersweet for so many people. Please take time this weekend to reach out to a mother who needs your love.

And for my friends who are childless or missing a child this Mother's Day (and those who love them), this is for you ...

For the Childless Woman on Mother's Day
(click the link above to view)