Four years ago, Mother’s Day held little meaning, personally, for me. Instead, the day was filled with angst, depression, and tears. After suffering my second miscarriage a few months earlier, I left church early on Mother’s Day 2008 – listening to a sermon about mothers was just too painful. Convinced that I’d never have a child, I wept for myself that day – mourning all we didn’t have. A few days later, my whole world changed when I found myself staring at a positive pregnancy test. Nine months later, the first of my two miracles arrived. I spent the next Mother’s Day (2009) sharing my testimony about how God had been faithful to our family.
But having been there, I know all to well about the Mother’s Day that just doesn’t feel the way that it does for others. It becomes a painful reminder of what we’ve lost or about what we long to have. Throughout the years, I have seen the hopes and dreams of friends come true. But for others, Mother’s Day brings nothing but painful memories.
So to those who have lost children, you are a mother.
And this Mother’s Day, while I will rejoice in my blessings, my heart also weeps for the women so dear to me. I pray that God will use this year to grant the desires’ of their heart.
I wrote this post yesterday as I thought much about the past few years. A blog friend, Jen, who also experienced Mother’s Day heartache for years, has a daughter and had twin girls three months early, right before Jack was born. One of the twins passed away immediately. The other twin, her daughter Ainsley, has been fighting in the NICU since then – over 16 months. Ainsley passed away yesterday. My heart is breaking for this precious family and especially right before Mother’s Day. Hug your littles a bit tighter today….Jen is also 36 weeks pregnant.
Wow! What a great post! I am not exactly one of those mothers but I know many who are. You have spoken for so many. well done
Great post. My mom had a very similar experience to yours. Many, Many prayers to your friend Jen-I cannot imagine.
I love your post. Yesterday, almost everything I read on the internet was about people trying to take away Mother’s Day because it’s painful to people who have dealt with infertility and miscarriage and the loss of a parent. I agree that all of those things must be excruciatingly painful, although I haven’t had to deal with any of those losses personally.
Still, I don’t think the pain that some feel should mean that mothers shouldn’t be celebrated. I think it’s a good thing to recognize parents for not just the life they give, but the work they do–every day–to raise good children.
That doesn’t mean women who have lost babies shouldn’t be recognized. Of course they should! I’m not sure the best way to go about it is, though.
Anyway, I like your post because it recognizes those mothers and people who have felt loss, but it doesn’t belittle motherhood in general. I was very frustrated yesterday when everyone was talking about how schools shouldn’t make cards for mothers because not all kids have mothers, or that churches shouldn’t recognize just mothers because there are good women who have chosen not to be a mother.
I’m not sure where I’m going with this! I thought about writing a blog post of my own on the issue. I was just so upset yesterday…
Anyway, thanks for writing what you did! I loved reading it.
Thanks for posting this to remember all those who have such a hard time at Mother’s Day. Thank you for sharing 🙂