My Two Mothers

I have two mothers. One who raised me and one who gave birth to me. I am thankful for both of them.

I don’t have any children. My partner’s children live with their mother in another country. I am thankful they are surrounded by grandparents, aunties and uncles and that their mother has fallen in love with someone who loves them and takes care of them.

I am thankful for the women who will never have children by choice or by circumstance, who channel their love into other people’s children and into their own passions.

I am thankful for the women who have given birth to songs, to books, to paintings, to films, to photographs, to sculptures and to architectural masterpieces. Your creations enhance the lives of many.

I am thankful for the women who have forged the many pathways I can choose to walk. I send my love back to the priestesses, witches, suffragettes, inventors, scientists, war workers, protesters, and feminists who refused to accept the opinions of their oppressors.

I am thankful for the mothers who have left this world, always too soon, and for the children who keep them alive by never forgetting.

I am thankful for the mothers who have buried their children. My heart breaks at the thought.

To all women, here in the flesh or in spirit, I offer my gratitude. You are the mothers of the world who bring in to being new life, new thought, new beauty.

Thank you.