An Ode to the Mommas

A Momma is a woman who has given birth to a child (or children), yes.

She is me, my own mother, and her mother, and my father's mother, too,

and back and back and back.

And a Momma is also much, much more.

She is divine--the Holy Mother.

She is selfless--the foster mother.

She is hopeful--the divorced mother.

She is nurturing--the heart mother.

She is bereaved--the loss mother.

She is fun-loving--the "Auntie" mother.

She is open-hearted--the adoptive mother.

She is wise--the mother-in-law.

She is strong--the birth mother.

She is flexible--the step-mother.

She is resilient--the single mother.

She is benevolent--the grandmother.

She is supportive, hard-working, forgiving, authentic, compassionate, inspirational, helpful, thoughtful, prayerful, optimistic, needed.

Momma.

She is beyond compare.

She is good.

The title Mother drips with meaning both extraordinary and painful. While I am fortunate enough to be a mother and to have my mother in my life, I acknowledge this is not every woman's story. It almost wasn't mine. Nearly eleven and a half years ago, my firstborn child, my son Rowan, was stillborn at full term. It was the most earth-shattering experience imaginable. Somehow, some way, I survived his death. I believe my faith carried me through the darkest days, and carries me still. Today, I get to hold my second child, Homer, in my arms. It is with these experiences in my heart that I celebrate motherhood in all its forms today, and offer my kinship to the women suffering because they long to be mothers. Or they long for their mothers. The longing is so real and so present for countless women. They deserve love and joy on this day, too.

So Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommas. You belong here.

Here, you will be celebrated every day.

This is where our journey together begins...welcome!