"we have real warriors in our midst"

You may have already seen this quote this year, but I wanted to share it in case you hadn't because it captures something I have felt for a long time. I didn't know how to put it into words, but I felt it again this morning as I awkwardly said "Happy Mother's Day" to a friend who has been dating a man for years. He has a young daughter, and although my friend isn't technically a "mother" she makes food, deals with tantrums, and tucks the little one into bed at night. After I spoke the words I instantly regretted them, it just felt awkward. But I was getting showered with love and a sleep-in~ why should I feel strange about honoring her too?
For the women in my life who have no birth children of their own but have played a mothering role in my life... or my dear friend who had a miscarriage this year... or friends who would ache to become a mom and are not able to yet for one reason or another... I cherish you:

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—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 are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced 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 midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

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

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

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Happy Mother's Day ♥