Celebrating ALL Women Today!

My annual salute to all women, whether they are mothers or not... Mother's Day is an interesting holiday. I don't deny that mothers give a lot of themselves for their kids--24/7 for many years beyond the ones when they're changing diapers or helping with homework. I agree that this deserves celebration. I have a wonderful mother, and I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. Thanks for everything, Mom! But I've looked at the holiday from a different perspective many times as well. As someone who has struggled to become a mom, struggled to sustain a pregnancy, our society and it's focus on Mother's Day can feel pretty wounding. I can't tell you the number of times I felt inferior on a Mother's Day because I couldn't do something that so many women seemingly achieve so naturally and easily. Since then, of course, I've realized that is not necessarily the case. I can't count on my fingers and toes the number of women who have contacted me after I post something about this on the blog and mention that they've struggled with something similar. And that they've struggled with feeling like less of a person on a day that celebrates mothers. I've been blessed with a wonderful little boy who is eleven now. This is after four miscarriages, one tubal pregnancy, and many years of trying to conceive. I can't say that the parenting journey has always been easy either (even though I know I've had it really good compared to some). So I honor and salute all my friends who have endured the joys and sorrows of parenting. But I also honor and salute all of you who, for whatever reason, haven't. I salute you even more, because there are probably less of us that understand each other and can give each other (((cyber-hugs))) Many blessings to all of my women friends today! May you be honored, cherished, and understood among your friends and family!