May is extra full of family events– Mother’s Day, my parents’ anniversary, several family birthdays, the anniversary of losing our son, and other extra activities as we start full swing into spring.

So many thoughts, feelings, perspectives, and personal experiences connected to Mother’s Day. If you follow social media, there are many who are celebrating the blessings of having a mom, being a mom, or being a grandma; and others who are grieving all of those losses and more. 

I was thinking this year of all the “mother” related relationships I have and have had, and how each one is unique. First I am still blessed to have my mom, and we enjoyed spending some time with her for Mother’s Day and honoring her and what she means to all of us! Secondly, I have grieved the loss of a mother-in-law, for almost 8 years now. And before that, grieved the loss of my grandmothers, and also our second child/ first son who passed away at 17 months old going on 20 years ago. I rejoice in the blessings of the daughter and son we still have with us, and of course I couldn’t be a mom without my husband who I am so very thankful for as well. In this stage, my children are young adults, so well beyond the baby and toddler years. However, we are also enjoying being substitute grandparents for the toddler and other children our daughter babysits, and more that we have closer friendships with through their families or teaching Sunday School/ children’s programs. Then there are the friends of our children, who we also enjoy getting to know. One of their friends sent me a special Mother’s Day message yesterday as she was especially missing her own mom who passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago…. I can’t even imagine the heartache of her loss at such a young age. A month ago I was also blessed to meet and spend some quality time with the 2 young girls our family sponsors in Guatemala, in a sense feeling like an extra “mom” to them (though at my age, I may seem more like a grandma once again!). And then there are the new relationships with the birth mother of my brother, and his birth father’s wife, and extended family of my sister’s as well. And finally I think of the mentoring relationships I have been blessed with in both directions, and how much those ladies have meant to me over the years, developing me into the person I am today. I know each of us has our own story and connections, and it is good to consider them and how they have made us who we are.

I think the role of mother can be so encompassing and rewarding. It comes with both joy and pain, blessings and disappointments. Mothers are the nurturers, the teachers, the caregivers, the listening ears, the exhorters and encouragers…. we all need our moms and there are many around us with “mother wounds” as they grieve that loss. It can be through the death of that special person, or distance in relationship physically or emotionally, but however it happens, it is painful. And vice versa– a mother’s loss of a child or distance in relationship, are painful whatever the circumstances. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Reach out for help and healing, for that tender touch from God on your heart, and be the one to make the first move in restoring relationships or even making new ones that help fill that void in our lives. So whatever area you can relate to and however you experienced Mother’s Day, know that we can each make the most of opportunities, and reap eternal rewards as we look beyond our own little worlds and take the risk of making a difference for someone else. We all could use as well as give a little “mothering” now and then!

Proverbs 31:25-30 ^“25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁶She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” ³⁰Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”