Mother’s Day is Not Always Happy.

I had a lovely Mother’s Day this year. My family and I went on a hike at one of my favorite local spots, Eagle Creek. I had a sweet date night with my hubby. I spent some time in nature alone and had a delightful brunch with my mom and family. I felt loved and honored and celebrated the sweetness of my relationships with my husband, children, mom, sisters, and women friends.

Mother’s Day hasn’t always been so delightful for me. I remember the day being quite a painful day for me for most of my adult years. I had such a deep desire to be a biological mom, which I did not become until the age of 40. Yet, I had been in a mothering role to many, including being a highly involved stepmom. Every year, it reminded me of that unmet desire to have a child and an unfulfilled blank space in my life.

Many women experience grief on Mother’s Day. They are women who are stepmothers, women who wanted to have children but couldn’t, women who have lost children, women who have lost their mothers, women who did not have a mother, and women who have toxic or difficult relationships with their mothers, children, or other women in their lives. There are many reasons for this and the list can go on and on. If you are one of these women who experience less than happy feelings, know you are not alone! It’s okay to sit and be with your grief and feelings.

Sometimes, the holiday can bring forth bittersweet memories, a complexity of joy and sadness that can be present on this day. Whatever your Mother’s Day looked or felt like, it’s okay if it was not a Happy Mother’s Day.

If you feel less than happy, know you are being held in the nurturing presence of my heart. I am sending you love, peace, and comfort. You can do the same for yourself by not judging yourself for what you are or are not feeling, not trying to force yourself to feel differently than the way you do, and doing something kind and nurturing for yourself. Some ideas are asking someone you trust to be your nurturer, if available, or allowing Mother Earth to hold you by spending some time in nature.

Do you need help feeling grounded, nurturing, and caring for yourself? Is this resonating? The next step in your journey is to book a time with me.