Womens-Place

Moms of Angels by Chelle & Honor Thy Mother by Julie

Moms of Angels

May is a wonderful month; we are reminded of the “new life” that comes forth as we are thrust into spring. With holidays such as Mother’s Day approaching, I would like to share some suggestions of how to help those who are grieving the loss of a child. Whether or not you have lost a child to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillborn, or a live birth then a child’s death; Mother’s Day can be particularly difficult for these moms. Some moms find themselves with a void or hole in their heart everyday; the tragedy of losing a child is one that never really seems to heal. On these special days when the “identity” of being a parent/mom is so significant, the pain these moms feel can be multiplied leading her to more bereavement. More isolation. More sadness.

Our society forgets the fact there are women out in the world that have suffered great losses such as the loss of a child. Flower shops, card shops and other retail establishments are filled with Mother’s Day gifts and gift ideas. It is hard to find a place that carries a card that acknowledges these women who have had a short time with their little ones, that they are in every sense of the word a “mother.” Newspaper, radio and television advertisements help you “shop for that perfect something.” Church services are about honoring our mothers on this special day. The very sad truth to all of this is we leave some of these moms in our community, circle of friends and church bodies devastated.

Do you know someone who has lost a child to death? Are you uncomfortable thinking about them on this special day? Do you think that these mothers are not thinking of their son or daughter that have left this world? Do you think if you remind the mother of her precious child, who will be part of her heart and soul forever, that you will make her sad?

Would you like to help these mothers?

I can promise you they will be thinking of their child that has passed on. I can also guarantee you that mentioning this child to them or giving a hug and a whisper of “Happy Mother’s Day” in their ear will only bring them tears of joy, as finally someone remembers their little one who is not here with them. I can also guarantee letting them know you remember her identity as a mom of that sweet little one who died, and that you remember her child, for her, you just gave her another day worth living for.  This not only applies to a small child as well but to an older child that has passed on as well. We lost out oldest son Christopher Michael on June 10, 2005. I cannot tell you what it means to me when someone remembers my son.  Just think of the simple things you can do for someone and do them.  Do not fear of bringing back a bad memory.  Just think of how hearing the name of their beloved child will soothe the depths of their soul.

I have suffered 12 miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy. Having someone remember these little babes that are no longer here with me means the world to me as their mom. Just because I cannot hold them, watch them grow or guide them through life does not erase the fact that I am a mother to them. So as this Mother’s Day approaches, please take time to reflect and remember these moms with a card, phone call, kind word or small gift. It will mean the world to them and it may just bring forth the healing they have been so desperately searching for.

~Chelle is the owner of Womens-Place, a proud Mother of eight beautiful children and fourteen beautiful angels, She is also a loving wife to her talented, and pretty darn cute, hubby, Tim. The boards are her passion, and she proves it daily with her inspirational posts and wonderful advice. She looks forward to spending this Mother’s Day loving and thinking about all her children.

Honor Thy Mother

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and I’m sure we’ve all got plans to run out and get a card and/or small gift for the woman who gave us life. But have you stopped to think about how people pay tribute to Mothers in other parts of the world?

The following article was taken from India Times: Spirituality. Because it had such excellent information about how Mothers are celebrated elsewhere, I did not want to lessen it by trying to paraphrase, so here it is in full:

Festivals In Honour Of Mothers While Mother’s Day is the most important international festival celebrated in honour of mothers, there are several other festivals that celebrate the mother figure. Here are a few of them:

The people of ancient Phrygiain Asia Minor held an annual festival honouring the goddess Cybele, considered the mother of all gods.
The Greeks celebrated a festival in spring to honour the goddess Rhea. They made offering of food and fruits early in the morning.
The festival of Hilaria was celebrated from March 15 to March 18 by ancient Romans to venerate the mother of gods, Magna Mater or Great Mother. Likewise, the Romans had a mother of all the gods, and she was Magna Mater, or Great Mother.
The Christians celebrated a festival in honour of the ‘Mother Church’ on the fourth Sunday in Lent by bringing gifts and offerings to the church they were baptised in.
During the Middle Ages, people in England celebrated ‘Mothering Sunday’ that coincided with the festival of Mother Church. On this day, children who worked far from home went to see their mothers with gifts of cakes and trinkets. This was called going ‘a-mothering’.
Both Argentina and India observe Mother’s Day in October. In Argentina, mothers are honored on the second Sunday of the month, while Hindus in India celebrate Mother’s Day with a ten-day festival in early October. This festival is called Durga Puja in honour of Durga, the Divine Mother and most important Hindu goddess in India.
Serbians in parts of Yugoslavia also celebrate Mother’s Day, called ‘Materice’, in December. Two weeks before Christmas, boys and girls quietly ‘tie’ their mother up while she is still sleeping. Upon awakening, she gives the children small gifts she has hidden under her pillow in exchange for her ‘release’.

A newer celebration of and for Moms by Moms is Mamapalooza, “for Moms who rock!” It is a festival that showcases Moms and their creativity through song, art, poetry, dance and various other imaginative endeavors. According to their site, “MAMAPALOOZA is dedicated to honoring, celebrating and acknowledging the struggles and victories of mothers everywhere.” If the festival is coming to an area near you, I would highly recommend going. What an awesome sight it must be to be amongst others like yourself rejoicing in our role as Mom.

For those of you looking to do something a little more subdued and traditional, you can always check your local paper for Mother’s Day events such as brunches, teas or fairs. No matter what you decide to do, make Mother’s Day the best day you can, and enjoy it for yourself as a woman. Every woman in the world is an important part of life, and we all deserve this day for ourselves. Even those without children are Mother’s in their heart, so celebrate Mother’s Day for every woman everywhere!

Host Julie is the Mother of two boys, and she is thankful every day for the opportunity to watch them grow. Being a Mom is the job of a lifetime, and she hopes she is living up to the title “Mother” in the eyes of every woman.