Eternal Identity of Mothers



I know I'm a little late in posting about Mother's Day, but honestly don't we women get more than one day to celebrate? I love my mother- she inspires me with her faith and strength. And I'm grateful for so many women who have "mothered" me over the years; the leaders and mentors, roommates and friends who have encouraged, inspired, corrected and loved me. This is for all of you. I read this talk by Sister Patricia Holland about womanhood and this quote rang so true.

“In a poignant exchange with God, Adam states that he will call the woman Eve. And why does he call her Eve? ‘Because she is the mother of all living.’…

 As I tenderly acknowledge the very real pain that many single women, or married women who have not borne children, feel about any discussion of motherhood, could we consider this one possibility of our eternal female identity--our unity in our diversity. Eve was given the identity of ‘the mother of all living’ years, decades, perhaps centuries before she ever bore a child. It would appear that her motherhood preceded her maternity just as surely as the perfection of the Garden preceded the struggles of mortality. I believe mother is one of those very carefully chosen words, one of those words rich with meaning after meaning after meaning. We must not, at all costs, let that word divide us. I believe with all my heart that it is first and foremost a statement about our nature, not a head count of our children.

I have only three children and have wept that I could not have eight. (Some of you may have eight and weep that you can't have three.) And I know that some of you without any have wept too... Some women give birth and raise children but never "mother" them. Others, whom I love with all my heart, "mother" all their lives but have never given birth. Thus we must understand that however we accomplish it, parenthood is the highest of callings, the holiest of assignments. And all of us are Eve's daughters, married or single, maternal or barren, every one of us.We are created in the image of God to become gods and goddesses. And we can provide something of that divine patter, that maternal prototype, for each other and for those who come after us. Whatever our circumstances, we can reach out, touch, hold, life and nurture..."

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible women in my life!

Shooting Star

 Sometimes I craft a poem when I'm in the mood and I remember my senior year literature class when we studied both the content and form of poetry. I fell in love with all the layers of meaning and how to write a feeling without saying it. But I'll save that discussion for another post. About half the time, I consciously work to create something. Other times it just comes out. This was one of those times. Lately my thoughts have been with a sweet friend of mine and her husband as they've discovered during her pregnancy that their son has a rare genetic condition and he will not live long after birth. My heart goes out to them and I have been inspired by their examples of faith and trust. We live far apart and for months now I've been wondering what I could do for them. And though it isn't much, this is what came. Dedicated to Baby Carter and all those who have lost a loved one too young.

 

Shooting Star

Dedicated to Baby Carter

Dearest darling,

though at present our time is short,

we know this isn’t the end, but the start.

Like a shooting star flashing across the sky,

your pure light illuminated my heart.

Here just a moment then out of sight,

trailing parts of heaven and glory in your wake.

And though seemingly back to the way it was before,

everything is different if I do a double take.

In your brief glimpse of this mortal world,

it is my hope that you felt the best it contains.

Did you pause at the majestic awakening of the sun,

and bask in the peace when only twilight remains?

Did you inhale the fresh air from mountains’ peak,

or dive deep to search the ocean floor?

Did you see the blush of spring or autumn’s display,

and in seeing all that, realize it was just the door?
 

The door to an experience beyond sight and sound,

of connections and discoveries galore.

For each and every one of us the span isn’t long,

but it is filled with potential and possibilities to explore.

With such a quick glance as you passed through,

I will take a moment to record it for you.

I’ll put all my favorites, not in a jar,

but in my soul to live with you in mind.

There’s dancing in rain and twinkling Christmas lights,

the joy of selfless service and the courage to be kind.

I’ll treasure the thrill of discovering a passion,

and the exhaustion of seeing it to the end,

The challenge of a new job or going back to school,

as well as being brave and standing up for a friend.

But most importantly, there’s love--

in all it’s incredible shapes and sizes.

The power of siblings who always have your back,

and the support of friends no matter what arises.

There’s love so strong between a parent and child,

the type that enlarges the heart and never can sever.

I’ll hold onto the excitement of first love and falling,

while I join hands with the one I’ll love forever.

Like a flash, you lit up the night,

bringing both sorrow and joy into our days.

You reminded is to cherish every moment

and to keep perspective in life’s little delays.

Darling dearest, you came, conquered and then you were gone,

leaving an echo urging us to press on.