Mother's Day

On this morning mothers across the country are enjoying the delights of tea and toast in bed, bunches of flowers, boxes of chocolates, works of art filled with smudges and scribbles and hand-made cards telling them they are loved.

As the adoptive mum of a son, Ben, who is nearly thirty (his words!) Mother's Day is doubly precious. I love the beautiful notes that he writes to me and the thoughtful little gift (carefully suggested by myself) he gives me. I've even had the occasional glass of fresh orange juice and a cookie in bed!

For me, Mother's day is a two layered celebration because it is also a day in the year when I can thank my Heavenly Father for the most precious gift, entrusting a tiny, vulnerable baby boy into my care and love. I feel a bond with the likes of Sarah, Elizabeth and Hannah in the Old Testament because like them Father God blessed me with a child and made me a mother against all the odds.

Mother's Day is indeed a day of celebration, but, sadly, for many it a day which is far from joyous. Mothers who lost their babies or children (no matter how old), mothers who gave up their babies or children because they were unable to care for them themselves, mothers who lost touch with their children and long to hear their voice or receive a letter through the post.

There are children for whom Mother's Day is a sad reminder of neglect, cruelty, abandonment. Giving birth undeniably makes you a mother, it doesn't in my opinion make you a mum, it certainly doesn't make you a good mum. This leads to my final thought on this day of celebration. there are many women across the country for whom motherhood has not been possible, but who have, nonetheless been beautiful, inspiring and much loved second mums to many of us. I have personally been blessed to have some amazing and wonderful women in  my life who have been there for me, and now for Ben, loving me, encouraging me, challenging me and just holding me when times have been hard. These women are mums in every sense of the word that matters and their part in so many of our lives is invaluable.

Motherhood is not a right, but it is a blessing and a joy whatever form it may take. Birth mum, adoptive mum, foster mum. step mum, surrogate mum, second mum, grand mum! All have a part to play in nurturing, loving and caring for the next generation(s)