Today is the first Mother's Day I've celebrated as a mother. Brett got me a lovely hanging basket of orange flowers and a card.
But this past week I have been finding myself thinking a whole lot about another mother. Last Mother's Day, she was carrying my son in her womb. She was going into her second trimester. She chose to do something only about 3% of women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy do - she chose to carry her child to term and give him a life she felt she was unable to provide. We don't know a lot about Ms. April, but we know she didn't have a lot of support during her pregnancy with Brett. What an amazingly strong women she must be!
I've been trying to think of a good way to honor Ms. April today, and every Mother's Day. We currently don't have any contact with her, so we can't send her a card or flowers. I thought about getting her a card each year - having Brett pick it out when he gets old enough - and keeping them in a shoebox. Someday if Brett has the opportunity to meet her, he could give the cards to her. But, then, I worry, what if Brett doesn't ever get that opportunity?
I finally came to the conclusion that the best way to honor Ms. April on Mother's Day is to honor her every day. To talk openly about her with Brett always with respect and appreciation. To remember her in our bedtime prayers. And to encourage Brett to honor her how he chooses as he grows.
But isn't that how we should honor all mothers? Every day?
But this past week I have been finding myself thinking a whole lot about another mother. Last Mother's Day, she was carrying my son in her womb. She was going into her second trimester. She chose to do something only about 3% of women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy do - she chose to carry her child to term and give him a life she felt she was unable to provide. We don't know a lot about Ms. April, but we know she didn't have a lot of support during her pregnancy with Brett. What an amazingly strong women she must be!
I've been trying to think of a good way to honor Ms. April today, and every Mother's Day. We currently don't have any contact with her, so we can't send her a card or flowers. I thought about getting her a card each year - having Brett pick it out when he gets old enough - and keeping them in a shoebox. Someday if Brett has the opportunity to meet her, he could give the cards to her. But, then, I worry, what if Brett doesn't ever get that opportunity?
I finally came to the conclusion that the best way to honor Ms. April on Mother's Day is to honor her every day. To talk openly about her with Brett always with respect and appreciation. To remember her in our bedtime prayers. And to encourage Brett to honor her how he chooses as he grows.
But isn't that how we should honor all mothers? Every day?
That was a very nice post. I think reading it would make Brett's first mother very happy. I also love the picture. He is holding himself up so big and strong!
ReplyDeleteLynn (TTC adoption)
I love that post, too. It's so true. We know our daughter's birth mother but will never know our son's. There is just no way to thank either of them enough for what they have given us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brett, for the frig art! We love it. You look more like a toddler, sitting there so big. Nice job, Joy. I know this will never get through your screening, but do you think you might rename your blog "Wedan Family Grows...and Grows!" tee hee Love, M&D Sitka
ReplyDeleteI know an adoptive mom who lights 2 candles on mother's day...one for her daughter's birthmom and one for mother's who have lost a child or never had the opportunity to have a child. Her blog is mychinesedream.blogspot.com look for her mother's day post.
ReplyDeleteTiffany