Dear Birth Mother, I think about you on many days, and especially on Little Bird’s birthday and Mother’s Day. Had it not been for the difficult decision you made, I would not be celebrating this day. With respect and gratitude for for the path you chose for your daughter, Little Bird’s Mama Full disclosure: I […]
Mother's Day
The apple of my eye through the lens of my camera
Through the Eyes of a Mother: A photography exhibit by Mamas With Cameras Last weekend I participated in a photography exhibit at Cave B Estate Winery’s Woodinville tasting room: Through the Eyes of a Mother. This was my first photography show–and–I got to be ‘on the wall’ with spectacular photographers, mamas all. I felt immensely […]
The Commune of Motherhood
During the years when I longed to be a mama, but wasn’t, I felt like an outsider to a secret society: The Commune of Motherhood. I sat–metaphorically–on the sidelines at my neighborhood ‘Moms Night Out’ and ‘Mamas with Cameras‘, a monthly meet-up. I consciously chose to participate in both of these groups, despite my mama-wanna-be […]
On being a real mom
Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real. ”Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit.’Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. […]
A Mother’s Day like no other
The first time I saw her and she saw me This Mother’s Day, I am a mother. As I write this sentence I have to pause, because it is a lot to take in. For me, the journey to motherhood has been long and arduous. Many Mother’s Days passed where I felt sad, adrift. And, […]
Why I want to be a mom
Mother’s Day, these past few years, has been bittersweet for me. I’ll celebrate the day by honoring my mother, Big Papa’s mother, my sister and close friends who are moms, yet mourn that I am not amongst them. This year the sting is especially keen because I was absolutely certain I would finally be a […]
Mom-in-waiting
“Happy Mother’s Day” the friendly attendant says as we roll down our car window to enter the gates at Bloedel Reserve, a lovely public garden on Bainbridge Island. “Happy Mother’s Day to you too,” our friend K. replies cheerily from the front seat. “Oh, I’m not a mom yet,” offers up Ms. Attendant. We drive […]
Thank God we’re not Mothers Day
Back in my 20s, every second Sunday in May, my female friends and I would congratulate each other on “Thank God we’re not Mother’s Day.” For us that meant we’d managed to survive another year without an unplanned pregnancy. We were invincible. Youth and fertility forever! We never gave a moment’s thought to menopause. Ah, […]