An (Almost) Mother's Day

I find it ironic that on the same week as Mother's Day this year, my first due date approaches.

Yep.  That's right. I woud have been...could have been...should have been? 40 big fat weeks pregnant on Thursday May 12.

But.

Instead of packing for the hospital, I'm packing for the beach.

I'm going to baby showers, not getting them.

Our "nursery" is nothing but extra storage.

We have no "Baby on Board" sticker, no car seat, no crib.

Just empty arms and broken hearts.

This would have been my first bona fide Mother's Day.  When they would have recognized the mothers in church on Sunday, I would have stood, too.  Fat, nauseous, and swollen, but I would have stood.  And I would have been proud.

But it's different for an "almost" mother.

Almost Mothers don't get cards or breakfast in bed.  They don't get corsages or hugs from little arms.  It's just another day to be reminded of the life that never was.

Almost Mothers are almost like you.  But things went differently.  Sure, the test was positive...at one point.  But while your belly grows, hers doesn't.  You heard the heartbeat, but hers doesn't have one.  You swell with pride.  She shrinks in shame.

You have a baby. So did she.  And because things took a turn, you are a mother, and she isn't.

So, on this Mother's Day, if you are a true mother, give thanks that your motherhood didn't take a turn for the worse.  Give thanks that your cradle or your arms or your womb isn't empty.
Give thanks that it wasn't "almost."  Give thanks that it was.

And if you think about it, show some love to an Almost Mother.  There are more than you think.  On a day where she's reminded of what she doesn't have, remind her of what she does--your love, care, and support.

You never know.  It just might make her day.

Well.  Almost.