I’ve had conflicting feelings about Mother’s Day ever since Isabelle was born. Each May, I am reminded of what a blessing it has been to raise Mark the last two and a half years. This year I am reminded that despite the challenges of pregnancy, that it too is a beautiful blessing. Yet Mother’s Day is also a reminder of the tremendous loss that our family experienced the day that Isabelle passed away.
Many people have mixed feelings about Mother’s Day – those who have lost their mother, those struggling with infertility, those whose children are not a part of their life for one reason or another…
This year I am writing specifically to those I can relate to the most: The moms who have experienced loss but have other children in their lives.
Being in the trenches of motherhood while also mourning the loss of a little one is like riding a bike with one hand behind your back. It takes a while to figure out how to balance, and sometimes outside forces make it a bit more challenging.
For those who can relate, I leave you with this sweet story curtesy of my two-year-old:
Matt has gotten me a Willow Tree figurine each year for Mother’s Day since 2014. This year, he gave me the sweet one below.
Mark was very excited after I opened it. He explained that he was the little boy, and that his brother (in mommy’s tummy) was the bigger boy. This, of course, was amusing since Mark is clearly supposed to be the older child. We then asked him who the girl was holding Mark and his brother. Mark confidently said, “Isabelle!”
And there you have it.
To all the mommies who have experienced the loss of a child – never forget that your sweet baby is hugging your other babies (and you) tightly and praying for them. It is an image that has pushed me through many challenging days.
To all those who have lost children, I pray that my two-year-old’s wisdom can bring some comfort to your heart today. Happy Mother’s Day!
32 Weeks with baby #3 and a photo bomb by #2 :-)
Mother’s Day Brunch
