... today is Birth Mother's Day. If you didn't know this, don't feel bad. I was not aware of it until I started searching the internet for good Mother's Day cards for Angie (River's birth mom) and happened upon several articles about it.
Here is a quick history lesson on Birth Mother's Day. The first Birth Mother's Day was celebrated in 1990 in Seattle, WA. The celebration was initiated by Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh, a birth mother herself, who wanted to recognize other birth mothers as part of her healing process. So on this day 19 years ago a group of birth mothers who attended a support group with Wolch-Marsh met together and the tradition was born. Birth Mother's Day has since then always been celebrated on the Saturday before Mother's Day.
One particular article had some amazing thoughts on Birth Mother's Day and since I couldn't do it any more justice than this I'm just going to quote the article. (click on the word article for a direct link to the site)
"Birth Mother’s Day gives adoptees, adoptive families and birthparents an opportunity to reflect upon, grieve and celebrate the birthmom in their lives separately from the annual Mother’s Day traditions. Even though the occasion is not marked on calendars and Hallmark does not have a market for Birth Mother’s Day cards, it is important to recognize the women who gave birth to North America’s adopted and foster children.
Many people in the adoption constellation have strong feelings about whether Birth Mother’s Day should be a day of celebration or a day of grieving. Others question why birth mothers need a day separate from Mother’s Day to be honored. Even if an adoptive family, adoptee or birth mother chooses not to celebrate Birth Mother’s Day, the occasion does serve one important purpose – it creates public awareness of birth mothers."
The last sentence of that quote is why I am SO glad that there is a Birth Mother's Day in the first place. Personally, DH and I had planned on celebrating Mother's Day for Angie with cards and gifts from us and River regardless. But something that I have really been disappointed in through my experience in the adoption world is the lack of recognition that we as a society give to birth mothers. A very common quote I have found in the adoption community is,
"Childbirth is an act of nature. Adoption is an act of God." (Author Unknown)
I absolutely LOVE this quote and completely agree but I feel that God is the most present in the actions of the birth mother. She sacrifices her own needs and feelings for the benefit of her child and for the family she is placing her child with. I truly believe that Angie and all of the birth mother's in this world have built their mansions in heaven through their selfless acts on behalf of their children. I love Angie so much and am so thankful for all that she has done for us. Our lives would not be complete without River who is present in our lives thanks to her act of God.
For another (and very moving) tribute to birth mother's written by one of the adoptive mommy's whose blog I follow, click here.
Happy Birth Mother's Day!
Here is a quick history lesson on Birth Mother's Day. The first Birth Mother's Day was celebrated in 1990 in Seattle, WA. The celebration was initiated by Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh, a birth mother herself, who wanted to recognize other birth mothers as part of her healing process. So on this day 19 years ago a group of birth mothers who attended a support group with Wolch-Marsh met together and the tradition was born. Birth Mother's Day has since then always been celebrated on the Saturday before Mother's Day.
One particular article had some amazing thoughts on Birth Mother's Day and since I couldn't do it any more justice than this I'm just going to quote the article. (click on the word article for a direct link to the site)
"Birth Mother’s Day gives adoptees, adoptive families and birthparents an opportunity to reflect upon, grieve and celebrate the birthmom in their lives separately from the annual Mother’s Day traditions. Even though the occasion is not marked on calendars and Hallmark does not have a market for Birth Mother’s Day cards, it is important to recognize the women who gave birth to North America’s adopted and foster children.
Many people in the adoption constellation have strong feelings about whether Birth Mother’s Day should be a day of celebration or a day of grieving. Others question why birth mothers need a day separate from Mother’s Day to be honored. Even if an adoptive family, adoptee or birth mother chooses not to celebrate Birth Mother’s Day, the occasion does serve one important purpose – it creates public awareness of birth mothers."
The last sentence of that quote is why I am SO glad that there is a Birth Mother's Day in the first place. Personally, DH and I had planned on celebrating Mother's Day for Angie with cards and gifts from us and River regardless. But something that I have really been disappointed in through my experience in the adoption world is the lack of recognition that we as a society give to birth mothers. A very common quote I have found in the adoption community is,
"Childbirth is an act of nature. Adoption is an act of God." (Author Unknown)
I absolutely LOVE this quote and completely agree but I feel that God is the most present in the actions of the birth mother. She sacrifices her own needs and feelings for the benefit of her child and for the family she is placing her child with. I truly believe that Angie and all of the birth mother's in this world have built their mansions in heaven through their selfless acts on behalf of their children. I love Angie so much and am so thankful for all that she has done for us. Our lives would not be complete without River who is present in our lives thanks to her act of God.
For another (and very moving) tribute to birth mother's written by one of the adoptive mommy's whose blog I follow, click here.
Happy Birth Mother's Day!
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