Bonus. A Mother's Day Message for the Grieving Mother

Your motherhood is motherhood, too. Your mothering may look different than those around you or what you ever imagined it would be. But this day is for you too.  Today I acknowledge you who are hurting this year. “I see you. I have not forgotten. God has not forgotten. YOU are not forgotten.”  To the woman looking at yet another negative pregnancy test; I see you. To the woman holding only a memory of a heartbeat, I see you. To the woman staring at a gravestone, I see you. I see your bravery every time you smile and every time you get out of bed and every time you hold a baby that isn’t yours and every time you give the honest answer about how many children you have. I see your sacrifice when you show up to church or to work or to your best friend’s baby shower even though it hurts like hell.  I see your selflessness when you put another’s needs above your own, even when your heart is breaking.  I see your compassion when you weep over another’s story of loss and heartache.  I see your faith when you praise the God who could have stopped this pain. I see you. And I am so grateful for your example. Your example has changed me. -- http://www.themorning.com/mothersday