Remember all Mothers this Sunday

Mother's Day. It's coming up. We see gifts advertised everywhere online and in the store. It's supposed to be a happy day to give thanks for your mother and other mothers as well. I am thankful for my mom. She is wonderful and watches out for me. I feel loved and grateful to be her daughter.

But there are those who feel isolated and left out during this annual event--those who lost their mother early on, those who were abused by their mother, those suffering infertility, and those who had to say goodbye to their children either during pregnancy or shortly after.

So please remember all mothers this year. Remember holidays that emphasize family are important, but can also be hurtful reminders of what people have lost. I am not bitter about Mother's Day at all, I just wish it wasn't so commercialized. I wish it didn't turn into a month long affair of "Come, buy this for your mom even though we just celebrated Easter!" A month long reminder. Then comes Father's Day.

I know a handful of people that I will be thinking about this Mother's Day. It will be those who I know are suffering and wish circumstances were different. If you are reading this and I have been aware of why this day would be hard for you, then you know my mind will turn to you frequently this Sunday.

On a note from my own personal experiences: I truly believe those suffering through infertility (this includes secondary infertility as well) and pregnancy loss are the strongest mothers. This does not mean that those who have never had these problems aren't strong mothers, because they are strong in a different way. They struggle to raise their children and may feel inadequate. They may be working mothers with a desire to see their kids all day because they don't want to miss a second of their precious lives. Those mothers can be ridiculed for having to work and this leads to pain. Or they may have had a traumatizing labor which the world does not understand leading to isolation and guilt. And many mothers suffer through PPD which many in this world don't believe is real, but it is real and life shattering. These mothers are wonderful and strong too.

Those who want more kids and are struggling, or those who just can't get pregnant no matter how many expensive and life altering treatments they undergo, or those who suffer recurrent pregnancy loss are so strong. They have to put a smile on for the world. They have to dream and push forward whether they get results or get pushed down once again. It is truly pain and anguish. Mother's Day is like salt in our wounds because it seems like we live and breathe solely to have a child the world recognizes as a human with rights. I know my life has completely taken a back burner just so I can bring a life into this world, no matter how many tries it takes. And this is why we are strong. We don't give up easily for our righteous desires. We are mothers.

The woman who founded Mother's Day wanted to recognize her mother. Her mother had 7 losses. This knowledge brings peace to me that the mother this day recognized first was an angel mom who struggled to have earthly children.

Happy early Mother's Day to everyone and a special shout out to all those who feel this day of gratitude isolates them. You are loved as well!