Mother's Day

This was my first Mother's Day with Joel at home. Last year, I was a mother, but my son was thousands of miles away. This year, he was in my arms. And it was wonderful. It was also difficult. My heart has been filled with thoughts of Joel's birthmother and foster mother. These two women gave my son life and nurturing, and he was not with them today. My heart breaks for them, whose arms were empty of that wonderful son of ours, and also for Joel, that it was not possible for him to be with all three of his mothers today.

I realized today that it is important to remember not only the women who are with their children, loving and caring for them, but also for others. Mothers who have placed their children for adoption, or who have aborted their children. Mothers who have been separated from their children in difficult circumstances. Those who have lost their mother too soon. And those who long to be mothers but are still waiting. My heart is heavy for those women today.

My heart is heavy, but it is also joyful. There isn't a more wonderful woman than my own mother, and I couldn't be happier or prouder to be her daughter. My son is perfect, precious, and I am celebrating the fact that I was chosen to be his mother.

I received the most special, fabulous gift on my first Mother's Day. A friend of my mom has a very talented daughter, and she took this picture of Joel and I just hours after becoming a family...

...and turned it into a work of art.


I love it, and tear up every time I look at it. My mom (and the artist) like to call this picture "The Lioness and Her Cub." This is pretty accurate--a good description of the feelings I had shortly after becoming a mother. I can remember cleary the protective feeling I had while walking around Seoul with this new child of ours. It was an amazing, breath-taking feeling, captured perfectly here.

Thinking of and thanking God for all of the women I know, who are all mothers in their own way.