it is the night before mother's day and all is well in our world.
mother's day celebrations have started early. thursday, jasper and sela presented to me chocolate chip cookies they had made for me. friday afternoon, after i returned from tromping around wanchai markets with dresses, shoes, socks and a few other items for the household, carys presented me with a small cupcake that had "carys" written on it, and then a much larger, much more ornately decorated one that said "mummy".
there was also a card, that featured a photo of carys stirring what i presume to be cupcake batter, and the words, "i love you mummy because "you buy me beautiful dresses". and amazingly, just that day i had bought a dress for my little blue eyed girl.
last night charles and i went out for dinner with dale and stephanie, then later the boys went out and stephanie and i went for foot massages. oh, it was dreamy. the fellow was very abusive with my feet, but he did a great job.
there were a few years where mother's day was extremely painful for me. years where mothers stood up in church and i stayed seated, red in the face and wishing it was me, rising, smoothing skirts, holding a child, or hand on swelling stomach.
tomorrow is going to be a very painful time for someone. their pain may be pubic, or private. please, take a moment to send an email, to call, to take someone aside and let them know you are thinking of them. that you know this day is an especially difficult one. you're smart enough not to mention "relax" "just" "if you had more faith" and other such platitudes. you don't have to be a close friend to reach out to them. if you fear of embarassment, then send an email. infertility is so isolating, it is such a relief when someone reaches out to you. whether it is to say, "i don't understand, but i am so sorry." or "i am thinking of you today" .
on a day meant for mothers, i hope you have the opportunity to reach out to a woman who is yearning to be a mother, but is not yet.
Happy Mothers day!!! Thanks for being so sensitive!!! Its a great reminder...there is a girl in our youth group whose mother died two years ago... and of course we miss Rick's mom terribly... I remember in my home church we celebrated all women, girls, ladies... we were celebrating not only motherhood but the potential of motherhood... it was very sweet and very sensitive... Miss you lots...xo lyns
Posted by: lyns | May 11, 2008 at 12:50 AM
beautiful post Tess.. and for us birth mothers out there who struggle with Mothers Day, I send to them a special hug of support!
I used to hate and avoid mothers day at all costs, thankfully now I can embrace the day and be proud of myself and millions of others who are mothers in every sense of the word.
Love to you all xoxo
P
Posted by: Auntie Pammie | May 11, 2008 at 03:38 AM
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TESS..
Posted by: Lita | May 11, 2008 at 04:39 AM
Wonderful message sweetheart.
Love to all.....Dad
Posted by: Dad aka GDad Blake | May 11, 2008 at 04:46 AM
So happy for your wonderful Mother's Day gift from your sweet husband and children and I too thank you for your sensitivity for all women who yearn to be mothers.
Love you, honey. Happy Mother's Day to you.
M xox
Posted by: Maureen aka Mo (Grandmother) | May 11, 2008 at 01:05 PM
See, this is why you mean the world to me.
xoxo
Posted by: Boulder | May 11, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Thanks.
Posted by: Trace | May 14, 2008 at 10:06 PM