Celebrating Mothers and Others

Mother's Day is right around the corner.  I remember when I was a girl Mother's Day was celebrated by wearing a corsage.  Those with a living mother wore red and those with a mother no longer living wore white.  We ordered them from the florist with baby's breath and pinned them on with frightening looking pins.  I miss that tradition a little.  The beautiful red roses were such a contrast with the white ones but both were beautiful and meaningful. Without the tradition of the roses, its hard to recognize that for some the day of celebrating mothers may be bittersweet...or just bitter.

There are those who are blessed with beautiful mothers and relationships still alive and thriving and sweet.  There are some who desperately miss a mother no longer available for long phone conversations or trips to the mall.  Those like my friend Jordan whose "missing you heart" still feels tender and raw at the loss.  She was blessed with a wonderful, Godly mother, taken, by our standards, too soon.  Jordan struggles.. but here is what I see that makes me know that Jordan will be okay.  Her mother had wonderful girlfriends.  She included Jordan in that group as well.  I see God's hand in that.  I know that Janet never dreamed that one day she would leave her daughter too early and feeling unprepared...but God put Janet in a wonderful group of friends, in preparation for the day that they would step in and continue to support and mentor and love Jordan with their "nurturing love."  They don't replace Janet, but they "stand in" with arms wide open because that's who they are and they know she would have done the same for their child.

My grandmother was not raised by her mother.  She was raised by her grandmother as the matriarch in her life.  What was unusual in her day is much more common in today's world.  I have several friends who are raising their grandchildren and doing a fabulous job.  It isn't easy but the love of their hearts will make a difference that will be remembered.

There are those among us who for one reason or another may not have bonded with their mother.  There are those who were loved most and influenced most by a step-mother, grandmother, aunt, sister,a best friend, Sunday School teacher or the mom of a best friend.  I think Mother's Day encompasses all.  That's why I love that Heartlife plans a "Mothers and Others" event.  We recognize that "family" doesn't always involve DNA.  

I have included the link below and encourage you to attend this precious event.  Bring your mom, bring your daughter, bring your friend, invite a new mother and celebrate her induction into "the club".  There are no boundaries ladies.  Maybe you are needed as someone elses "Other" and you just don't know it yet.

Tell me about your Mother or the "Other" who influenced your life.



https://www.facebook.com/events/1405014803105782/?ref_notif_type=plan_user_joined&source=1