Enjoying Mother's Day with my Beauties...
I love Mother's Day! But, I wish we thought of it more as Motherhood of the World Day. As women, by our gender alone, we make this world a better place. All women are mothers, each and every one of us. Some are blessed with it by biology, but many, many more of us mother by how we walk lovingly through our world. We just love more intimately.
Today, I wish every woman, Happy Mother's Day! May your day be filled with sunshine, warm-ish tea, burnt toast, cold soggy eggs and being spoiled rotten. I'm not alone in having my special motherhood army... I hope, you take the time to reflect on yours today.
This is my first Mother's Day with children away from mine. And to be honest, I don't like it. I miss my Mom in a place that I can't describe. I miss her hugs, her love and celebrating with champagne. I'm so grateful Norah and I were able to spend time with her back East two weeks ago. So for all of you out there, who are without your mom because of geography (like me) or because they have passed...
I'm sending my love to each one of you.
I have a whole army of women in my life who give love and light to my family. Jeffrey and I are better thanks to their selfless love, time and talents. This Mother's Day I'm calling out three, who are unique. While I may be the one talking about their gifts, Jeff and I are united that these three are just one part of the glue that holds us together. While separated now by even more geography, I keep in constant touch with these lovelies. I selected each one for not only their connection to my family, but because each of them never had children of their own; but they are more than mothers. Each are role models for me in my daily journey.
People often use the term "soulmates" to just talk about lovers/partners. I disagree. In my world, I share my souls with many on this journey. I have a emotional connection that is honest, pure and life affirming. Each of these relationships provides me a glimpses of what the after-life will include. Each of these women are my soul-mates, they feed me, guide me, and love me in a way that can only be a gift from the Divine.
My Sr. P, who is one of my closest confidants, holds a very special spot in my life. SP is a member of a Catholic religious order or a Sister (nun). In our relationship she is my guide, my gut-check. We laugh and talk with a frankness--I can't compare. SP provides a connection filled with love, clarity of purpose, safety,and humor. She is the one that knows the raw honest truth about me (along with Jeff). It is with her guidance that I became more honest about my health struggles; my faith life, and my transparency of love. I have found my authenticity, my voice and my lion like roar. I love better because of her wisdom. I have witnessed the Divine working in our relationship. As a woman of faith, I sometimes struggle to match both the living in the secular world and being in a faith filled one. It is a struggle, but it is one that is made easier with her guidance. For a woman who shares her truth so openly, I find it almost impossible to put into words what she means to me.
The Godparents...
Our Fairy-Godmother Jane just left after a week with us. We are all miserable. Like when you eat a whole bag of cookies despondent. Technically, in the eyes of the Church she is just Norah's Godmother. But, Jane is really all our fairy-godmothers. I watch in awe, Wednesday night as both my children ugly-cried as she packed her bags. My children are blessed with a love that holds zero biological relationship. Jane and her beloved Steve, "The Godfather," love my children with such beauty, and grace. Jeffrey and I know without question; that the Godparents would lay down their lives for the children and stop at nothing to make sure they were safe and happy.
Godmother's holiday creation...
The Beauties will never be able to identify a significant moment in their lives that the Godparents weren't present. The Godparents show-up BIG! They may fly in from some far flung corner of the world. They are present, with smiles on, cameras ready and praise heaped. Every birthday is a celebration, every holiday comes with boxes of surprises, treats, world class gingerbread houses, custom cookies, special books, made from scratch and auto-cad designed birthday cakes (oh yep, Jane doubles as both Martha Stewart and architect all in one!) But these two KNOW my Beauties. Which one likes crunchy peanut butter which likes smooth. They love them, plain and simple.
Then there is my Shelly... MY SHELLY. Let me just put that out there first! I have to fight for her. She will always be mine, but I lovingly share her. My Beauties call her Auntie Shelly and she is my sister--while technically she isn't. Shelly came into my life when I was 15 and she was 21. My mother and her father were engaged. The marriage never happened; but I welcomed a whole family into my life. Shelly guided me through my high school years, offered technical advice on boys, clothes, taught me to drive and pass my driving test... and of course more boy advice.
The wonderfully playful Shelly...
My children are giddy with excitement to be warmed by Shelly's sunshine. While her full time job is crazy talented, successful artist and sculptor. She is just Auntie Shelly around here. While she lives in the Boston area, Shelly has always been a regular fixture in their lives. I have been given reports that no one... NO ONE, can de-tangle hair better, create french braids, pony-tails, or make better lunches. And there is only one person who offers the BEST, lego and design advice.
As if that wasn't enough, Shelly has taken me to countless doctor's appointments. Once while Jeff was on travel. I was bedridden after a treatment, really sick. Shelly was un-phased, climbing into bed next to me, she read, made tea, she stroked my head and loved me all day. I have never in my life felt more nurtured, protected and loved. Then she made dinner for the Beauties, took them to the park, did homework, all while I slept. I love nothing more than to listen to the Beauties conversations with her. Stolen exquisite moments, eavesdropping on my children.
That's what Mother's Day should be about, isn't it? Three women who love so perfectly, so honestly, so unselfishly, so beautifully. All three have zero biological relationship with me or my children. But LOVE; there is no greater love than these women; these special mother, sisters, guides to my family.
I will spend the day enjoying Mother's Day, being loved and doted on. I will also spend time thinking of these three women who teach me how to be a mother everyday. It doesn't take a village... It just takes women like these three to hold the rest of us up.
May you make time today to appreciate the women who hold you up each and everyday.
Namaste... I love you!
Kathryn
PilgrimageGal
Photo Credits: PilgrimageGal and Mr. PilgrimageGal