Every year, 26,000 babies are stillborn in America. In 2003, one of them was my son.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

For Mother's Day

I posted this prayer last year for Mother's Day and like it so much I decided to post it again.

Wherever you are in your mothering journey, I wish you peace on Mother's Day.

Today we bless mothers who sat up all night with sick toddlers saying, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here.

Today we bless mothers who gave birth to babies they may never see. And the mothers who took those babies forever to be their own children.

Today we bless mothers who attended ball games, recitals, rehearsals, etc. etc. and said, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and meant it.

Today we bless mothers who show up for work with milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

Today we bless mothers who put pinwheels, teddy bears, or flowers on children's graves.

Today we bless mothers whose children have gone astray, who haven't the words to reach them, and yet have never put them from their heart.

Today we bless new mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation. And today we bless mature mothers who are learning to let go.

Today we bless all mothers: working mothers, stay-at-home mothers, single mothers, and married mothers. We also bless all women in life giving and nurturing roles. We thank you. We honor you. We bless you. Amen.

- adapted from a prayer of Dan Bottorff

2 comments:

hapi said...

Hi Virginia, Nice blog! How to add the Glitter Effect Mouse Pointer to your Blog

Carol said...

Virginia, I just happened to stumble along your blog while looking at a friend's blog online. My deepest condolences for your loss back in 2003. You never let go and you never forget, do you. I didn't lose a child, but I lost a beautiful and healthy grandchild. His name was Justus Blake Wells. So precious and so loved but it he passed at from SIDS at 4 months of age. Justus was my daughter's first born. I could be holding him and talking but if he heard mommy's voice, this little thing would swing his head around so fast, his little eyes would light up full of life and love and would have the biggest smile on his precious angelic face. I don't know how my daughter maintained her sanity but with God's Grace, we all overcame this loss to at least begin to heal and talk about it without falling to pieces. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. He is posted on SIDS Nursery but his picture is etched in my brain and his love forever etched in my heart. God bless you for helping other who have lost a child, whether stillborn, SIDS, etc. It doesn't matter because it is still a devastating loss. I just felt the need to tell you that no matter where you are, your son will live within you. The hospital or a grave is just something tangible that we as humans have a better way of dealing with loss. I used to go to little Justus' grave all the time and read him stories from the nursery books that he would never know. I don't visit much anymore because I don't feel relief, but just depression, but at my home and my office, I have his pictures and I greet my sweetie every morning and kiss him goodnight every evening and this is what gives me comfort. Also, as crazy as what it may sound, shortly after his death, I found comfort to 'talk' to him. I did this every morning for almost two years. I am sorry this became a novel. I just think what you have documented and accomplished upon dealing with your loss is a tremendous tribute to your son. May his spirit forever remain within you no matter where you live. God bless you and continue to use you to help those with these special needs. Carol Ann Durocher from Magnolia, TX.