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Mothers' Day Musings II (of II)

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Contributed by: Mame Shroyer on 5/6/2008

Originally written on

Mothers' Day 2007

It never occurred to me until this morning what a universally emotional day is Mothers' Day. As a single childless 40-something-year-old woman who lost her own mother a few years ago, I've often felt alienated by it, as if it exposes all of the empty meaningless spaces in my life, pointing out all of the questions I have taken to God and for which I have received no reply. So, it has often been an emotional day for me, not one I generally look forward to, but I don't think I have ever stepped back to look at the big picture.

This morning at church I ran into so many precious women from whom I collected hugs and smiles. Behind their smiles, each woman has a different story. For each of the examples below, I see a face, and some of the faces are or have been mine.

In countless churches in America, where intentional efforts are made on this day to give honor to moms, an unheard symphony of sensitive emotional strings are being plucked. This morning, I think I almost heard the music of:

--Moms who are deeply touched by being given recognition and appreciation, their hearts brimming with joy,

--A new mom, filled with wonder that this amazing little being, once a part of her, is now a separate life...plus a bit of awe at the responsibility..."Can I really handle this?"

--Moms who are in pain because their children, for whom they have poured out their lives, have forgotten them,

--Moms who have deep regrets, knowing they've made horrible mistakes as a mother,

--Some whose children have broken their hearts and the questions torment them..."Was it my fault? If only I had...?"

--Moms whosechickadees have just left the nest..."Are they going to be okay?...How do I fill up this empty space now?"

--An adoptive mother, whose heart is overflowing with gratitude for the tiny beautiful baby who has completely captured her heart,

--Single mothers, feeling guilt for not being able to make up for a father's absence, or their own lack of time away from a job that just provides the basic material necessities,

--Married women who have been trying and trying to get pregnant, longing to care for a child of their own, but it just is not happening,

--A young mom who has sacrificed her career to stay at home, and it doesn't feel fair. She believes it is the right thing for her right now, yet she feels guilt over how much she misses the world of work.

--Another mom who is torn and exhausted by the struggle to balance a demanding career and motherhood.

--Mature married women who chose not to have children, but now are wondering..."Did I make a mistake? Who will care for me in my old age?"

--A woman who has just had a hysterectomy due to cancer, before she'd gotten a chance to marry or even consider becoming a mom.

--Young women longing just to find a good man who will love and commit to them, hoping that maybe someday they might have a chance at becoming a mom.

--Mature women who have never married or borne a child, and particularly on this day, they feel left out, and wonder about their impact,

--Children and teenagers who wish they had a mother like the one in the sermon, as they are passed from foster home to foster home,

--Women whose hearts are breaking, thinking about the child they lost, or a pregnancy they ended..."Will they get another chance? Will they always be haunted by this?"

--Women who have recently lost a mom and have regrets about words left unsaid...or maybe they just really miss her.

There is no way around it, Mothers' Day stirs up the hearts of women, whatever season of life in which they find themselves. It stirs up joy and gratitude, longing and pain, love and appreciation, regret and disappointment, hope and desperation, loss and abandonment, questions and torment, determination and inspiration to make a difference.

It is right that we have a special day to honor the mothers among us, who sacrifice so much for the love of their children, even knowing that in so doing, we bring much pain and longing to the surface of nurturing feminine hearts of all kinds. So honor and appreciate your Mother...and reach out to your girlfriends and to strangers with a smile, a hug, gentle words and a listening ear, and let them know that they have made your world a better place too. We really are all in this thing together.

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Mame Shroyer

posted on 5/10/2008 @ 6:41:09 PM

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God Bless You, Jennifer. (((((and warm hugs))))))

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Submitted By: Jennifer Bailey

posted on 5/10/2008 @ 12:13:01 PM

Rated Story

An 'empty nest' mother of 3 who has infrequent contact with her girls, and hasn't seen her son in 6 years thanks you for putting the feelings of Mother's Day in such clear words that are all inclusive.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Mame Shroyer

Colorado Springs , CO

Mame Shroyer has posted 48 stories and 36 comments since joining on 11/15/2006. Mame Shroyer 's average story rating is 4.8.

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