It may be that I’ve simply been too busy to notice, or that I’ve reached a new state of zen. Either way, I thought it was important to take a moment from my packing to highlight a story that my better half had waiting next to my cup of coffee this morning.
The San Jose Mercury News print edition contained a story titled,”Taking Mother’s Day Back.” In it, the reporter shares the genesis of this day — an antiwar protest — and asked how it was that we’d gotten so far aware from its original intent.
She reminds us that one of the early champions of the day “spent every last penny of her fortune to stop what she perceived as the crass commercialization of the occasion.”
What really struck me most about the piece, though, was this message: do not lose control of the narrative. The reporter quotes Katie Orenstein, founder of New York’s OpEd Project:
“It’s about who tells the story. That’s who shapes our history. Women do not tell the stories. Whoever controls the story controls the central conversations of our age. That’s who narrates the world. That’s who assigns meaning to our lives. That’s who has a voice.”
Let’s not lose sight of the inspiring narratives of the many warm, nurturing and wonderful women (not just those who call themselves mother) who enrich our lives every day. Our stories matter.
p.s. I’ll be sitting down today and toasting all of the nurturing women I’ve come to know through this blog and through Silent Sorority. Cheers to you!
In my experience, many of the most nurturing women I know are women without children. Perhaps because we actively make a point of nurturing others when we can’t have our own children to nurture, perhaps because we have the time to do so. But you’re right – we should acknowledge and celebrate those women. One woman who had a huge influence on my life worked for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust – she nurtured hundreds of women through their ectopic pregnancies, at the same time coming to terms herself with her life without children. She’s a hero to me, and a role model I try to emulate (but I’m sure I fail miserably). Cheers to you too.
I was really sure I’d responded to this. But what I wanted to say is that the most nurturing women I know happen to be infertile women without children. One woman in particular who worked for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust in the UK, helped me through my two ectopic pregnancies, and hundreds of other women through theirs, whilst at the same time dealing with her own infertility and childlessness. She’s a hero to me, 100% woman, and everything a mother should be … except for having the children.
I am so happy to have discovered your blog! As someone who, at 29, has already run the gamut of infertility treatment options (and sadly, been unsuccessful) I am always inspired by strong women like you who have been where I am, and despite things not going exactly as planned, are still living incredibly, fulfilling lives. Thank you for the inspiration!
In my experience, many of the most nurturing women I know are women without children. Perhaps because we actively make a point of nurturing others when we can’t have our own children to nurture, perhaps because we have the time to do so. But you’re right – we should acknowledge and celebrate those women. One woman who had a huge influence on my life worked for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust – she nurtured hundreds of women through their ectopic pregnancies, at the same time coming to terms herself with her life without children. She’s a hero to me, and a role model I try to emulate (but I’m sure I fail miserably). Cheers to you too.
I was really sure I’d responded to this. But what I wanted to say is that the most nurturing women I know happen to be infertile women without children. One woman in particular who worked for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust in the UK, helped me through my two ectopic pregnancies, and hundreds of other women through theirs, whilst at the same time dealing with her own infertility and childlessness. She’s a hero to me, 100% woman, and everything a mother should be … except for having the children.
I am so happy to have discovered your blog! As someone who, at 29, has already run the gamut of infertility treatment options (and sadly, been unsuccessful) I am always inspired by strong women like you who have been where I am, and despite things not going exactly as planned, are still living incredibly, fulfilling lives. Thank you for the inspiration!
@Bernadette – So very nice to meet you, too. I’m equally inspired by those who visit and share their stories. Wishing you all the very best.