At Backline, we spent the weekend honoring all mamas: young mothers who face stigma for their choices every day, queer mothers and trans* mothers who have the legitimacy of their families challenged regularly, stay-at-home mothers who make parenting their fulltime work and working mothers who constantly strive for balance in an unaccommodating world, birth/first mothers and adoptive mothers who share a love for the same children, mothers separated from their children by bars or by borders, and expectant mothers as they prepare for the new role ahead. Motherhood rarely looks like it does on television or in greeting cards — and we recognize it in all its complicated, messy, inspiring, and loving forms.
Many of our volunteers had special words for the mothers in their lives that reflect our understanding of Mothers’ Day:
“I’m definitely honoring my own mother, for all of the time, energy, and love she has put into my life. She is essentially the roots from which I grow and I am so thankful to her. My personal life aside, I think that all people who identify as women should be honored on this day. We are all Creatrixes of beauty in this world and give life to our passions. We do the best we know how and co-create a world worth living in. Kuddos to the on-going struggles and triumphs of being a female and mothering that which we believe in (including our own selves)!”
“I honor my mother, for all the love and support she gives me. I also honor all the moms out there who are struggling to make ends meet and keep it together while raising their kids to be the best people they can be. And finally, I am honoring myself with a mani/pedi and a movie because being a mom is hard work and we need to take time for ourselves!”
“I honor my birthmother for her courage and strength, for bringing me forth into this world. It is her story–parts told and untold–that form the roots of my life work and passion for supporting the holistic health of women and their families.”
“This Mother’s day will hold a bittersweet mix of feelings. This will be the first year in a very long that I will have the opportunity to be with my own mama who has been my dearest friend, ally, cheerleader, supporter and confidant. There will also be sadness for those mothers in my life who are no longer living and sorrow for those relationships that are fractured and impacted by mental illness. I want to also acknowledge and celebrate all the people who are doing their best each and every day for their families.”
“I am honoring my mother who sacrificed her adulthood to be a mother to me and my brother. She endured years of abuse from her husband so that we had a stable place to live and still works hard. I am honoring my grandmother who birthed and raised five children, supports & loves nine grandchildren and 11 great grand children. She has taught me how fortunate I am to have the privilege to choose when, if and how many children to parent. I am also honoring my daughter’s (adoptive) mother. I am grateful that I found a loving, caring, supportive and strong woman to raise our daughter. And I am honoring all of the first/birthmothers in the world, the mothers who birth their children and don’t have the support or resources to parent their child(ren), despite of all their love.”
“I am honoring my friend Sarah who just gave birth to her first child, a son, Silas. Even though he’s only been here a few short days, Sarah has been fantastic as a new mom. Flexible, patient, curious, and light hearted. What great qualities!”
Who did you honor this weekend?