I am blessed to have two beautiful reasons to celebrate in May—Birth-Mothers’ Day and Mothers’ Day.
On Birth-Mother’s Day (the Saturday before Mother’s Day), I unashamedly rejoice in the birth of my first daughter. Her birth forever transformed my life as I chose to bless another family with a child. I wasn’t even aware of Birth-Mothers’ Day until recently when someone from our monthly support group shared that there was a special day set aside to honor us. Since this conversation, I have been able to celebrate with other women who represent the three strands that make up every adoption story: Birth-Mother, Adoptee and Adoptive Mom. The opportunity to share this day with all three strands is enriching and empowering. Empowering, because I feel free to celebrate being a birth-mom, and enriching, because I have the privilege of hearing each woman’s unique story.
Rebekah and her daughter she placed for adoption on her wedding day.
Then on Sunday, Mother’s Day, I celebrate being a mother to our four children. Mothering my children has given me such gratitude for the adoptive mom I chose for my first daughter.
She and her husband accepted my daughter, loved her, did the hard work of parenting her and raised her to be the beautiful young woman she is today—gifts I couldn’t have given her.
Rebekah with her husband and four children.
As every parent knows, it’s sometimes hard to feel gratitude. Parenting is grueling work, but I can look to others who have walked the road ahead with great success, and I am hopeful. The family I chose for my daughter inspires me, and I believe they’ve helped shape the mother I am to my own children.
On these very special two days, I have the joy of reflecting on what it means to be a mother and a birthmother. One has inspired the other for a job well done!
– Rebekah
A Life Choices Client
