A prayer for Mother's Day

Mother's Day roses from Angela B.

To the Moms who are struggling, to those filled with incandescent joy.

To the Moms who are remembering children who have died, 

and pregnancies that miscarried.

To the Moms who decided other parents were the best choice for their babies, 

to the Moms who adopted those kids and loved them fierce.

To those experiencing frustration or desperation in infertility.

To those who knew they never wanted kids, 

and the ways they have contributed to our shared world.

To those who mothered colleagues, mentees, neighborhood kids, and anyone who needed it.

To those remembering Moms no longer with us.

To those moving forward from Moms who did not show love, 

or hurt those they should have cared for.

Today is a day to honor the unyielding love and care for others we call 'Motherhood,' wherever we have found it and in whatever ways we have found to cultivate it within ourselves.

- The Rev. Hannah Kardon, 

Elston Avenue United Methodist Church (Chicago, Illinois)