For those with Mothers We Don't Celebrate

Nobody knows what a hard job it is to be a mom, until they are a mom. This is for those of us who have a hard time with celebrating the mother in our life.

I can't remember the last time I celebrated Mother's Day for my mother. Sadly, some women really shouldn't have kids. My mom had five, and at one point or another we all agreed she shouldn't have had any- or at least stopped at the first when she realized she was shit at playing mom.

So I celebrate my aunt, who made it possible for my to visit my beloved Gram more often before she died. I celebrate my sis and sister-in-law, sis is a step-mom and puts more effort into her step-son than his mom does, sister-in-law has the same parenting philosophy I do. I celebrate my good friend who was a sister figure, mother figure and friend all rolled into one. I celebrate my former boss, whose kindness and compassion led me to my faith that has enabled me to survive the aftermath of two crippling betrayals.

There are many women in your world who make you who you are, celebrate them. Sometimes the role of 'mother' is untraditional. One of my favorite 'traditions' started w/ the pregnancy of my daughter was the moms in my playgroup throwing a Blessingway instead of a baby shower. We celebrate the bond of women, who have walked the path before us, beside us and behind us. Recently, I changed the format a bit to create a "Healingway" for a good friend. We got together as women and celebrated her and poured our strength and love into her. There is something awesome (in a powerful way- not like totally rad ) about the power of women who hold each other up.

Celebrate that. Celebrate what is IN your life. Understand that some traditions go back further than Mother's Day. When you look around at the women in your life you can celebrate, know that while it's not what the card companies sell- it is what matters.

So Happy Mother's day, because I am sure that in some way, at some time- you have filled that role for someone in your life.