happy mother's day....

...to all the mothers out there. And all those who hope one day to be mothers. And to all those you have mothers. So basically, everyone, I hope you had a good day today. 

I can't say I had 'good' mothers day, as this was one of those day's when the Baby chose, for whatever reason that makes sense only in his little infant brain, NOT to sleep for almost the entire day. He didn't nap for more than a half hour at a time ALL DAY! Day's like that make me crazy. He's still at the stage when he should be sleeping a lot, and I really count on that nap time so I can spend some time with the Little Dude and try to a least partially slake his insatiable need for parental contact (Come plaaaay wis me!) and also, try to get something done. Oh, and maybe relax a little, because its mother's day. Would that be too much to ask? Apparently, yes. 

Though to be fair, I did get to sleep in for an extra hour, which was awesome. And I received a beautiful card, the co-creation of hubs, who wrote the lovely words and the Little Dude who collaborated on the picture. And there was also a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers, which I meant to photograph, but did not get around to. And a delicious dinner at my mom's house that I did not have to prepare at all. And also, there was some of this:

Which is really what Mother's Day is all about, right? (Though a couple of hours alone at a bookstore would not have hurt either. Sigh. Someday when I'm no longer the Milk Lady...)

Although, on mother's day, a holiday apparently made up by the greeting card companies to assist in pedaling their wares, I often think of how this might be a hard day for some. Those who have lost a mother for example. Or for those who have lost a child. Or those who struggle with fertility issues, and have not (yet) been able to become mothers. I even heard on the radio about a group of women who were meeting this weekend to honour women who gave their babies up for adoption. (I just went and googled it, and the day before Mother's Day is Birthmother's Day! How 'bout that?) They wanted to bring attention to the bravery and selflessness of women who have chosen to give birth to their babies, but knowing that they would not be able to raise them, for whatever reason, passed them on into the world to new families. I can only imagine the joy that you would feel, as the adoptive parent, to welcome that long awaited child, and what a gut-wrenching decision it would be for the birth-mother to let go of that child, knowing that it would be best for them. If any of you reading this are in the above mentioned situations, I honour you all. 

I was pondering all these things because, as my readership on this blog grows, I've been thinking more and more about who my audience is. That's the funny thing about blogging. I can see how many people read my blog, and I can get to know some of you through the comments, but I can't really know who is reading it on any given day. And I remember when I was a blog reader, but had not started blogging yet. I worked a 9 to 5 job in an office, and I read blogs during my lunch hour and break times. I particularly looked forward to reading a couple of so called 'mommy blogs'. I remember thinking how jealous I was (in a good way) of their lives. And I wondered when it'd be my turn to have kids, and hopefully be able to stay home with them for awhile, and spend time getting to know them, making things and playing in the sand and reading stories to them etc. These blogs really made me look forward to parenting, but at the time I could not see into the future and know how things would turn out. I remember thinking it was odd that I vicariously enjoyed reading about these mom's lives. After all, I could hardly relate; we lived such different lives. And on mother's day they would cheerfully blog "Happy Mother's Day to you all!" and I'd feel funny 'receiving' their good wishes, as I was not a mom.

So my point is, if you are not a mom, and you read this, I'm wishing you a Happy Mother's Day too! You probably have or had a mom. And one day you might choose to have kids. Either way, if you are reading this, something about the day-to-day life of a woman who spends her day with small children resonates with you, and so I want to include you in the celebration. Happy Mother's Day, wherever you are in your life. I'm glad to share mine with you. 

Comments

[Alyssa in MTL]

Happy Mother's Day to you too! I usually read your blog every morning (a little before nine). It's a good way to start off my work day. Take Care!

[emme]

oh wow, that actually made me cry! no kidding! i look forward to your blog, which i read every few days in a work break. i'm 35, not wanting kids at this point, but i love reading about your boys - so close in age to my sister's boys. how wonderful of you to 'get' that there are women out here who may not be mothers themselves but who nontheless empathise with mothers and in a one-step-removed way do feel part of that community. thanks.