Reflections on Mother's Day

I am not a mother, nor will I ever be.

Every year I sit through countless commercials, walk through stores filled with Mother's Day signage, and, on Mother's Day, I hit the pew in church and get a sound lecture on how wonderful mothers are.

I am not putting down mothers; in fact, I have a pretty great mother myself. At 84, she is still a fiery ball of energy. Her physical state and attitude are much younger, and she is as feisty as all hell. I guess she has to be, because I was a handful, especially in my teenage years. She used to threaten that when I grew up, I would have kids like me.

Instead of honoring mothers based almost exclusively on biology, why not honor all the women who look after your loved ones on a daily basis? There are many women who tend to your elderly parents, teach your children, and look after your parents, brothers, and sisters who are hospitalized. Women are out there every day saving lives as first responders. Woman may heal your pets or help comfort your beloved companions when it's time to end their suffering.

If you look back upon your life, you may find a woman who influenced you or comforted you at a time when your mother wasn't able. This might have been a teacher, coworker, or favorite aunt. It could even have been a friend's mother. When I was in eighth grade, a teacher showed me a kindness that I have not forgotten to this day. This woman had no children, but dedicated her entire life to enriching the lives of other women's children.

Why not celebrate all women on Mother's Day?

There are many reasons why women do not have children of their own. They may choose not to for various reasons that could be as simple as not wanting to pass down illnesses and conditions to yet another generation. Some women never find the right partner, or if they do, their biological clocks already passed them by. Some might feel they can't raise a child, or they do not want to bring a child into a troubled world. Some just dislike kids; therefore, they know they will make lousy moms.

On the other hand, there are those who always wanted children, but could never have any. These women may feel a special kind of sorrow on Mother's Day. Some of the same women may have influenced your children or looked after the health of your family. Maybe there are people in the world who look to these woman with as deep or a greater love than they do their own mothers, for whatever reason.

This Mother's Day, take a look at all the women around you. What do you see? Do you see just mothers, or do you see influencers, comforters, teachers, and healers -- many who may also be mothers?

Motherhood is more than just biology.

Happy Mother's Day to all women.

Periodic Posting

I don't come here as often as I should.

I've actually been blogging for other people, as well as writing web content. I wrote at least 100 web pages for a factoring company, and I also have been writing product descriptions.

Best of all, I have been staying home and living a rather stress-free life. Unfortunately, because I have been staying home and leading a stress-free life, I have no interesting stories to tell.

I understand that in order to have a blog that people will want to read,  I have to write interesting content. Unfortunately, anything interesting is personal; therefore, it is published on my personal blog or is not published at all.

I need to find direction for this blog. I thought it was going to consist of anecdotes, but I just don't have enough.

Thoughts?

"a cat makes life fun"