Celebrated days are messy middle days–joy for one, heartache for another.

Looking for the right words to express both-and.

Deep love and appreciation. Humbled by grace and hardened by grief.

Mixed Feelings. Raw emotions.

Loss. Longing. Joy and thanksgiving.

Empty in one relationship. Full in another.

A scale that isn’t balanced.

Expectations. Emotions. Decisions. High mountains. Low valleys.

Mom, daughter, sister, auntie, step-daughter, daughter-in-law, grandma, and the generations go.

Not all celebrated relationships are direct relations.

Embrace what you can.

Sometimes, in the anguish of reality, a brightness warms the night.

Be a light. Walk in the light, it brings hope to darkness.

An experience or individual that shapes us, love of another–

a mother: by choice, by circumstance, or by heart.

From a distance, in your dreams and wishes, in reality and in loss.

Whatever place your mind dwells, on this day of celebrating motherhood,

may you find peace in the imperfection of this life. Joy on your journey,

And grace for the hard, the healing and the hopeful.