We Follow Her Lead

I'm thinking about the concept of 
mothering, motherhood.
I feel that I have many mothers.
The one that raised me, and continues to love me unconditionally.
But I have so many, many other mothers.
My big Sister.
My mother-in-law.
My sister-in-law.
My best friends.
Those dear friends who have helped me when 
I could not help myself, in those painfully tender moments.
Those that showed me how to truly be myself, and weird is okay, and to be proud of my eccentricities.
Those that help me raise my children.
Those that have been my surrogate parents, my old neighbors, new neighbors, friends that continue to show up for me, and continue to care.
Those that taught me that as long as I was having fun and not taking myself too seriously, 
life could be (and is) way more enjoyable (thanks Chef).
I think that it is no accident, this day in May, this Mother's Day.
Motherhood, this idea of mothering
coincides with spring, blooms, colors, 
and welcomes us as we come out of the dark winters.
Motherhood is a reflection of what Mother Earth provides.
We follow her lead.
Those that have mothers, are mothers, are aunts, teachers, friends, all those that help to plant 
the seeds of love and hope into each other's lives.
They usher in the compassion, love and strength
giving hope and promise for another year.
And help us to recognize the mother in each of us.
The Ancestor Mothers in each of us,
The children we once were,
​the women we are now,
and the Ancestors we will become.

Today, I am planting a rose bush (a gift from my children).
I used to not be a fan of roses, all those thorns, something so beautiful but also painful.
I did not know that roses symbolize God's love at work in the world, also beautiful and painful.
So, today I make an offering to Mother Earth
and to honor those that have come before,
those that are just entering this side of the veil,
those that are here now,
and those that will come after.