Mother's Day 2015

Happy Mother's Day to all those mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, stepmothers, mothers-to-be and whoever has loved a helpless creature.  Since I am able to write a blog and actually have people look at it, I feel privileged to share some thoughts on this day.

I recently read "The Girls Who Went Away" by Ann Fessler.  This nonfiction book tells the stories of girls decades ago who were forced to give up their babies for a variety of reasons but mostly due to the shame an unwed mother would bring to the family.  The young girls were usually sent away to give birth and then brought back home as if nothing happened.  Unfortunately most of these grown women are haunted by the memory and long for their lost child.

So many of us have our children and can openly celebrate this day but we forget about all those women who gave up a child, some because they had to and others because they knew it was for the best.  I know someone very closely who gave up a child 30 years ago because she just could not manage raising a child and every Mother's Day I think of her and what to say.  Do I say something and bring up a painful memory or say nothing and pretend it never happened?

Having kids is no cake walk.  Its a lot of work, its a lot of worry and stress and tears but there is also the hugs and the laughs and the dumb comments that make you wonder where you went wrong. Many years ago I asked my dad when you stop worrying about your kids and he looked right at me and said never.  And he was right.

I lost my mother almost 12 years ago and when I see a little lady out shopping or walking I am reminded of her.  She is always with me and today we'll spend some time together.

Today is for all the mothers out there no matter where your children are.  Enjoy your day.  Margaret