So, I know this might be a bit late but I wanted to share this pretty awesome playlist that Spotify curated. They actually had a few curated playlists that were great, but this one spoke to me the most. Mother’s day is one of those holidays that bittersweet. I have some great mother figures in my life, my step-mom being right at the top, but this holiday also comes with the memory that my mom is no longer on this earth. The day is full of love, laughter and celebration sprinkled with tears.
Now I’m used to seeing sweet pictures that people share of them and their mothers/grandmothers/children, but this year I saw this picture on quite a few profiles. Some people did the right thing and reblogged or shared the original post, others just saved the picture and reposted it without crediting the original artist. For the sake of giving credit, I’m just going to share a screengrab. I also did something I try not to do and I read the comments on the original post. Most of them were nice, mainly memories shared but there were a few nasty comments about the “those who have chosen not to be mothers” bouquet. Women were blatantly saying that they weren’t going to wish someone who made a decision not to be a mother “happy mother’s day” because they didn’t deserve it. And those were the nicer comments. Others were assuming the women who fell into that category were automatically women who had abortions (not that there’s anything wrong with abortions) and went on tirades about that. It got out of control and really hurtful.
Women choose to have children for numerous reasons, and I’m seeing more and more women in my generation making the decision to delay starting a family or decide not to have children. I even made the decision to delay having a family myself. But if we’re being honest with ourselves there are other ways that you can be a mother to someone. My brother-in-law texted me “happy mother’s day” on Sunday (like he does every year) and while I usually just say “thanks” and keep it moving I decided to ask him why this year. His response was perfect. He said that he wished me a happy mother’s day because I step in when it’s needed, and that’s true. At this point in my life I’m a proud aunt and big cousin, but there have been times that I’ve stepped into a motherly role for my nuggets and relatives and even other people. His answer brought a smile to my face and made it that much easier accepting it when someone wished me a happy mother’s day.
In fact, here’s a happy belated mother’s day to those women.
To the women who confident in their roles as aunt, godparent, big cousin, etc. Weekend babies/kiddos definitely have their perks.
To the women who chose to go into a life of religious servitude, choosing instead to serve their God and congregation than starting a family of their own.
To the women who decided to live their life in service, making this world a better place and being captains of their careers.
To the women who just know that parenthood isn’t for them and instead decide to volunteer at their local YMCA, Big/Little Brother/Sister programs and Girl Scouts. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Happy mother’s day to any woman who’s stepped in when it was needed.