Mother’s Day is a time when we all come together and celebrate the mothers in our lives. But, Mother’s Day can be very hard for some and I do not take that lightly. Although I am a mother myself, I always think twice when I write this post every year wishing mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. I think twice about it because I know it can be hard for some and I do not and will not minimize that. But, no matter where you stand on the Mother’s Day spectrum, one thing is for sure: we all have a mother. She gave us life, she is the reason, along with God’s guidance, why we are here today and I want to celebrate that. So let’s celebrate the ALL women:

Mother's Day: A Celebration of ALL Women

We celebrate ALL women this Mother’s Day. 

To those who gave birth to their first child recently—we celebrate with you and walk with you through every trial and tribulation that comes your way, because we have been there.

To those who lost a child –we mourn with you.

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains and throw-up –we appreciate you and what you are doing. Being around little people everyday can be exhausting!

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage or failed adoptions—we mourn with you.

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who experienced abortion -we mourn with you. We know that is not really how you wanted your life to go, so we love and mourn with you.

To those who have lost children through drug addiction, mental disorders, to the wrong crowd or to running away -we are here for you.

To those who are foster moms, mentors, and spiritual moms – we need you and we strive to be like you.

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children –we celebrate with you for taking the initiative.

To those who have disappointment, heartache, and distance with your children – we sit with you and listen. If you need to talk, we are hear to listen.

To those who lost their mothers –we grieve with you.

To those who experienced mental or physical abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience.

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our life.

To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we know God has plans for you.

To the single moms that are raising kids, but yearn for someone to share their life with –we know God has a plan for you and your children.

To those who step-parent – we walk with you on these trying and complex paths.

To those who envision lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be or has yet to happen -we grieve with you.

To those who do not have a healthy relationship with their own mother -we hear you and acknowledge your desires and hurts.

To those who will have or already have empty nests – we rejoice with you, but understand that unique heartache.

To those who placed children up for adoption — we thank you for your selflessness and acknowledge that you will always hold that child in your heart.

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate and pray for guidance with you.

Mother's Day: A Celebration of ALL WomenThis Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is a tough job and it is not for the faint of heart. We remember you, we love you, and we praise you for all you are and all you do. You are amazing!

I may be a mother, but I still fall into a few of the above categories and Mother’s Day can be hard if I allow it to be. I have a feeling that many of you fit into several of the above categories too, thus the reason for this blog. What I am here to tell you is that no matter where we fall, no matter which category we fit in today, we need to make Mother’s day about celebrating and loving all of the above women. Let’s make this a day into a day when we celebrate women and our unique and important place in this world. And then let’s make every day about ways we can lift each other up, walk with each other, and support each other through this life. Let’s make it a daily goal to pray for each other so that maybe next year we are a bit stronger and a bit happier with who we really are deep down.

We all have one thing in common, we all have a mother and thus we have life. Let’s celebrate that more than anything today. Life! You make the world a more beautiful place and I am so happy you are in it!

Until next time….

Happy Mother’s Day

~Mandi