Happy Mother's Day... to moms and non-moms

This was a hard day for me since I long to be a mom so badly.

But I genuinely wish all the mothers that I know a truly Happy Mother's Day!! {And sorry this is late, it's been a busy day actually.}

One of my friends at church reminded me today of how important it is and how good I am at being an encouragement and blessing to the moms I know.

Then I read this from another friend struggling with wanting to be a mom, and oh how it made me think and cry. Thank you, sweet Georgia, for your words!

I have another friend who reminded me in an email of her own personal struggle. She's been married for 15 years and desperately wants kids, and has for a long time. She feels the same as I do about longing to be a mom, hating Mother's Day as a result, etc. It was a very sweet email that got me all choked up, but also reminded me to think beyond my own situation to that of others. To my knowledge, I am not infertile, so I want to be sensitive to those who are struggling with this deep, personal issue. Know that my heart and prayers go out to each of you. Thank you, friend, for reminding me of this {even though that wasn't your intent} and for generously sharing with me your heart and struggle.

I have another friend who reminded me on Facebook of her own years and years and years of struggle and miscarriage after miscarriage after miscarriage. Thank you, friend, for your years of friendship and goofiness. I deeply long for you to be a mother and I know how hard this day is for you. I know it really stinks for you, and I wish so badly I could be there for you as a shoulder to cry on. Just remember how great a stepmom you are. I know it doesn't replace having your very own, but I'm glad you have those kids in your life anyway. God obviously knew you'd rock as a stepmom. I still pray that the infertility will turn around and you'll be blessed abundantly with even one child of your very own. I pray that for you often!

I was reminded today of the things that I do have to be thankful for. Such as the fact that I'm married. I have friends in their 30s who are not yet married and therefore struggling with this even that much more. I was reminded of my own selfishness and pride as their are others struggling with this in a much deeper, more personal way, and yet handling it with such amazing grace and strength. There are yet others who have turned from God and are too mad and bitter about their situation, and I want to be a support for them, and gently help guide them back to the truth of God's love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness.

And of course, let's not forget that Mother's Day--despite the difficulty it can bring to those who long to be mothers--is a special day to really thank our own mothers, grandmothers, and any other mother-types in our lives.

That said, I need to take a moment to thank my mom. She is one of my best friends; a wonderful, godly woman who sacrificed unbelievably for my brother and I; an incredible prayer warrior; my best ally; my best encourager; a lot of fun; and a deeply spiritual guide. She is kind, gentle, funny, sweet, a great wife to my stepdad, a wonderful Grandma to my nieces, and well loved by everyone. I love my mom so much. She's done so much for Tim (brother) and I over the course of our lives. I'm utterly thankful for you mom and cannot imagine my life without having had you in it!!!

Mom and I at my Grandpa's 90th birthday party, April 3, 2010

My brother Tim, me, mom, stepdad Jerry, and my nieces Olivia and Cayley the same day