What if instead, we call it 'MOTHER/ING DAY'?
With Mother's Day coming up, I’ve been reflecting on its meaning — and how we could choose to re-envision it.
Each year, I'm aware of how loaded or difficult this day is for so many people… for reasons of loss and grief, estrangement, tension, even disappointment. A celebration that is warm and loving for some, leaves others feeling unseen and excluded.
It goes without saying that so many mothers (past + present) deserve to be remembered + celebrated on this day.
AND
What if the essence of this day becomes the focus and we reclaim it as MOTHERING DAY?
A day where we hold up and honour the beautiful human instinct to connect with and care for one another. Celebrating and feeling deep gratitude for the 'action of mothering,' — the giving and receiving of comfort, support and love.
No matter our age or stage of life, all humans flourish in this exchange.
The very essence of ‘mothering’ is to give life… to ‘hold’ and care for others AND be ‘held’ and cared for ourselves.
Whether or not we literally are mothers or have mothers in our life — ultimately, we ALL instinctively tend to one another in various forms every day.
. . .
When we've been cared for by friends, family, co-workers, and neighbours; when we've been listened to by therapists or coaches; believed in by teachers or mentors, we are being mothered.
When we drop off flowers for a friend, shovel someone’s snow or bring in a neighbour’s mail; when we deeply listen, forgive ourselves or another; when we are genuinely happy for someone, drop off a hug 'in soup form', or donate to a go-fund-me campaign, we are mothering others.
When we go to bed early, instinctively give ourselves a walk, a bath or cup of tea to feel better; when we seek coziness by grabbing a sweater or blanket; when we let ourselves take a ‘duvet day’ to rest on a particularly hard day; when we treat ourselves to something or feel genuinely proud of ourselves for a meaningful accomplishment, we are mothering ourselves.
. . .
In this light, regardless of our gender,
we are mothering and being mothered every day.
With so many in the world suffering and isolated, let's expand the reach of "Mother's Day".
. . .
Let's honour the humans who spend their time and energy caring for, listening, teaching, helping others, and even saving lives. Let's find meaningful ways to embody this concept with action.
Regardless of how you feel about this particular day — I am sending ‘mothering’ energy your way.
Love, Nicole
Sculpture detail from: "Sleep of the Huntress" by Doug Stephens
(Haliburton Sculpture Forest, Canada.
