Happy Birth Mother's Day

Today is the second Saturday in May. While everyone will be celebrating Mother's Day tomorrow, some will be celebrating Birth Mother's Day today. Any adult adoptee knows that it took two mothers to nurture them into the person they are today. There is no competition and no comparing. They each have a major role in shaping one life. Birth mothers don't get much recognition. They seem to fade away after giving birth and placing a child in another woman's arms. It is a thankless job. But that's motherhood, isn't it? Mother's Day can bring sadness to those who aren't recognized for their own motherhood, no matter what type of mother they are -- birth mother, adoptive mother, or just plain mother.

As women, we should understand that any motherhood is worthy of recognition and celebrate it. Carrying a baby is hard. Giving birth is hard. Raising a child is hard. Motherhood is not for the weak-hearted. Every part of motherhood takes strength. There is joy, but there is also heartache. A priest once told me "Love equals sacrifice". Motherhood is the highest form of love, so it makes sense that it's also the highest form of sacrifice. I can't really think of any greater sacrifice than relinquishing a child and entrusting that child to someone else for a lifetime. If you are a mother, you understand this. If not, when you become a mother you will.

If you know a birth mother, celebrate her and recognize her sacrifice today -- and tomorrow too.