“Mother's Day”
It’s Mother’s Day this weekend, let’s think about them: Mother, Mother Earth, Holy Mother, Mother Nature, Grandmother, Mother Fu**er. Each title conjures a mosaic of love, grounding, nurture, nature, holding on, letting go, unpredictability, transformation, and a force to be reckoned with. Mothers are expected to be pillars of strength, wisdom, selflessness, and sacrifice. It may be true for some, but not all, and let’s recognize these traits are not exclusive to the female of the house. All humans regardless of gender and title have the capacity to care for and about little beings brought into this world.
It’s beautiful watching my children parent their children and be aunts and uncles to their siblings’ children. There is no pre-determined genetic code to be a loving human being. We are not “wired” from birth to follow traditions of the typical male and female roles. Every family is different and the adults who love children within and beyond their homes are truly the best “Moms” in the world.
Honoring moms on Mother’s Day isn’t always with flowers and cards. I’m often mindful of those who want to but can’t have children, children who have lost a mother, those who don’t know their mother or don’t have a relationship with their mother, the mother who has been cast aside by her family, the mother who lost a child, those on the motherhood journey alone, new mothers, aging mothers, mothers on their final road home, mothers of missing children, mothers with a front row seat to a suffering child, and children of mothers who have caused great harm. I hold every one of these mothers and every child in my heart and prayers. If you are fortunate enough to have a loving human in your life, I encourage you to reach out this Mother’s Day to share your gratitude and love.
In my first book, I shared my commitment to society’s criteria for being a good mother. I did my best and willingly devoted my time, energy, and resources to my family. Later, I learned the list was not a checklist for me to attain, but poetic guidance for an inspired life for any individual. To quote the great Maya Angelou, “When you know better, do better.” That is my journey today.
In my second book, I focus on individual happiness which in turn makes a happy home. I want to help people realize that their personal joy matters as much as others. Doing something that brings a person fulfillment, calm, satisfaction, peace, and euphoria is a good thing for everyone and for the human beings they are raising. We are all the fortunate recipients of that positive energy.
