Some thoughts on today.
- Until I was 26, I took Mother’s Day for granted. I had mother’s and grandmothers who I loved and would send cards to in the beginning May. I planned on becoming a mother myself, when I felt like it.
- For several years Mother’s day was a painful day for me. I wanted to be a mother and was not. I realized how incredibly full of hurt the day is for many, many women.
- Two years ago we were in Guatemala. It was the day before we met Jadon. I’ll remember it as one of the most amazing days of my life. I began to connect in person to the country and the women, Jadon’s birth mother and foster mother, who gave motherhood to me. How can I ever grasp all they have done for Jadon and me, Josh and Eliza? I wonder how this day is for them.
- Last year I was a few days pregnant with Eliza. I had completely put out of my mind that there could ever be a possibility of experiencing pregnancy or a biological child. After 3 years of gut wrenching honesty and tears, I was truly at peace with it. I would find out a few weeks later I would have a second child that was Caucasian
, surprisingly created when we were not expecting it. It has taken me a year to believe she’s here and staying.
- I will always have a heart for those who today is painful for. There are many women who have lost mothers, grandmothers and children. There are many women who are facing the fact that they may never be mothers but desire it in the deepest parts of their being. I hurt and pray for them.
- Today, I was able to celebrate with BOTH of my grandmothers, my wonderful mother (who is an excellent grandmother herself) and my two incredible, amazing, special children who God brought into my life in two unique ways.
- Today, I am thankful.
Guatemala 2007
Holding Jadon the first time
Wonderful, Anticipated Jadon
Sweet Surprise Eliza
Jadon and Grandma today
Eliza and Great Grandma M
Eliza and Great Grandma J
I couldn’t have dreamed this up!
One last thought on being a mother.
- When trying to finish a blog post, you shouldn’t also try to get your daughter ready for a bath. If you hold her naked after just waking her up so you can finish downloading pictures, the probability you will become covered in pee pee is just too high. Oops, sorry, I have a lot of readers from the south. I am covered in Tee Tee (said in a deep southern accent).
I will now finish my Mother’s Day by taking a shower.
Filed under: Adoption, Guatemala, Just Jadon, Our Family, Sweet Eliza
Oh Jess. what a beautiful post and even more beautiful photos of your sweet family… I love you guys so much, and I’m so glad that you had a special day with your family.
By the way, Amelia peed all over me the other night. Mike usually gets her ready for the bath while I run the water – the one time we reverse it, and I’m holding her naked, she nailed me.
Such a sweet post and that picture of little Jadon – I could just eat him up!! And I LOVE that last picture!! You have an incredible story – so encouraging to me. The journey really is amazing isn’t it?
Beautiful!!!
There should have been a tissue warning for this post! So beautiful and perfect. Happy Mother’s Day!
well said sis… thanks for your honesty and tears through the past years, you have helped me stretch my understanding of the reality of this special holiday day.
Yes, Mother’s Day is a painful day for some women. One time, My husband & I made bookmarks for all the women at the Sedgwick Co. Det. Ctr (90+).
Oh Jess, I’m crying at my desk. That is such beautiful thought and sentiment. I’m so glad God has blessed you in the many ways he has – through joy and though pain, He’s brought you so far. I’m lucky to have been a part of it.