The Gift of Reassurance

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I know it may seem a little out of the ordinary to write about Mother’s Day in June, however I can’t help but reflect on the deeper meaning behind the holiday.

Mother’s Day is more than a Hallmark moment. It’s a time to focus on the little things (that make a big difference) we don’t always think about — a time to focus on the thanks and recognition, the struggles and raw honesty we share with one about our motherhood journeys, and the friendships we develop in an effort to help one another along our paths as moms.

Mother’s Day takes on different meanings to people at different times. For me, the majority of my Mother’s Days have been spent giving thanks for my own mother and all the women in my life who have cared for me.

In the not-so-distant past, Mother’s Day became a painful reminder of the child I wanted and was, at that time, unable to have. I avoided social media, unable to bear the onslaught of beautiful family photos.

Last year, my first Mother’s Day as a mom took on a whole new meaning as I became overwhelmed with gratitude for finally being blessed with a precious baby; with sadness and anger, manifesting from the perfect storm of untreated Postpartum Depression, hyperthyroidism, and grief over the recent loss of my father (all of which I eventually treated); and with guilt for feeling anything but happy.

first mother's day
My first Mother’s Day brought on all the feels.

This year was a completely different story. I read beautiful tributes of how moms, grandmas, aunts, and sisters showed women how to be patient, kind, and loving with their own children. And while I could tell similar anecdotes, having no shortage of wonderful women in my life to emulate, these were not the stories I gave thanks for this year.

Instead, I gave thanks that my mom let me see her flaws because it reassured me that my son will love me despite my imperfections. I gave thanks for the friend who let me see her frustration with her toddler because it reassured me that being frustrated does not make me a bad mom. I gave thanks for the friend who let me see the darkness of her depression because it reassured me that my feelings were normal, that they wouldn’t irrevocably hurt my child, and that they would eventually get better. I gave thanks for the friend who lost a child and let me see that there are days when even she doesn’t love every minute of mothering her son because it reassured me that being grateful does not mean I have to love every moment.

I gave thanks for the friend who stayed on Facebook messenger with me at 4:00 in the morning when I was struggling to nurse and the friend who played Words with Friends all night with me during a sleep regression because it reassured me that I was not alone. I gave thanks for the stranger who helped me with my bags when I was trying to juggle them, the baby carrier, and the “kitchen sink” that babies of first-time moms travel with because it reassured me that I don’t have to try to be Superwoman. I gave thanks for the stranger who gave me a kind smile when my child was raising hell in a restaurant because it reassured me that not everyone is judging me as harshly as I’m judging myself.

I don’t know what the Mother’s Days of tomorrow will mean to me, but I hope that, no matter how they evolve, I will remember to pay forward the support I’ve received to another mom who’s in need of reassurance.

What does Mother’s Day mean to you?

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Cheryl Glantz Nail
The new mom of a baby boy, Cheryl Glantz Nail started her blogging and freelance writing career in 2008. She has written articles for several blogs and websites, including 24/Savvy and InterfaithFamily.com. Shortly after moving to Columbia, she turned her love of content writing and social media into a career in communications, currently serving as the Community Relations Director for a local non-profit. Prior to this career change, she enjoyed 10 years in education, both in the classroom and as a curriculum developer. When she isn't in front of her computer or wiping up baby drool, Cheryl can be found curled up with a young adult novel and a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, looking at cats on Instagram, or attempting to be artsy. She blogs at Take a Second Glantz (www.secondglantz.com/blog), trolls Pinterest for recipes she'll probably never cook, and sleep tweets during late-night feedings.

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