12 May Single Mama’s thoughts on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day has always been something that I have felt proud and privileged to be a part of.  In May 2001, I was 6 months pregnant with my my oldest child and I remember a friend of mine giving me a Mother’s Day card designed specifically for a “mother-to-be.”  I was so excited for the new adventure in mothering that was about to unfold.

At that time, I was married. I expected that my “mommy experience” was going to follow the intact family path – one with a mommy and a daddy living under the same roof and raising their children as a unit.

In August of 2001, my sweet Grace was born, and I started  my journey as a full-fledged mother.  I began celebrating Mother’s Day with pride and extreme gratitude.  In September of 2003 I was blessed with daughter number 2, Nora, and my journey as a mother and wife continued.

In May 2010, just a few short weeks after Mother’s Day, my family-life changed.

My husband of almost 11 years left, and there I stood, ALONE.

The role of wife vanished.  The role of MOTHER thankfully remained.  I remember with complete clarity standing on my front stoop after my ex-husband had left.  I felt numb, frightened and confused.  The only thing that I knew for certain in that moment was that I had two little girls who needed their mother to be strong, loving and present.

And so my journey through mommy-hood continued.

This past Sunday marked the 4th Mother’s Day that I am a single mother.  The truth is that Mother’s Day is simply about being celebrated as a MOM – a title that I cherish and carry with great pride and joy.  I am fortunate to be the mom of 2 amazing daughters.  I am in constant awe of their strength, beauty, tenacity and accomplishments. I take my responsibilities as their mother very seriously and try my best to instill in them the importance of kindness, honesty, hard work,  gratitude and love.

I no longer have a spouse to remind my children to make cards for me or to plan a special Mother’s Day brunch, but quite frankly I have never allowed this fact to interfere with anything.

My daughters and I have figured out the Mother’s Day formula that works best for our special trio.

The gifts and brunches don’t really matter all that much to me.  What does matter is that I get to spend the day in the presence of my two daughters, Grace and Nora.  They spoil me with beautiful homemade cards, coffee in bed, lots of silliness and all sorts of other wonderful surprises.  What more could a mom ask for?  For me it is simply perfect!

I hope that all moms and moms-to-be had a wonderful Mother’s Day this year, and a very special shout-out to all the Single Mamas out there!

xox,

Susan