On this mother's day...

On this mother's day, I can't help but think of my Ukrainian boys' birth mothers. I know they don't celebrate mother's day like we do here, but I cannot help myself.



When birthdays, ladies days, and mother's days roll around in Ukraine, are they reminded of the terrible day their sons were born? And the terrible decision they were forced to make? Judging by the sheer volume of social orphans, there must be a whole generation of would-be mothers who are likely hurting on days like today.



I envy the fact that they gave birth to my beautiful boys. How precious and sweet smelling they must have been as newborns. I imagine how snugly soft they were and how they would have melted into my chest. I imagine gently rocking them and watching them drift off to sleep in mommy's safe arms. I imagine their snickers and giggles as daddy would play with their little piggies.

baby Zhen. :)

Sadly, that was not the reality for my boys or their birth mothers. Motherhood is a miraculous gift. One that keeps giving over the years as I surrender to it. I know what babies with Down Syndrome feel like. How they look right into your soul. The world's best kept secret. Knowing what those women and men lost out on hurts my heart. And yet, I'm so very thankful and mindful of the great treasure that has been entrusted to me.


So on this Mother's Day, I'm sending out prayers for the mommies who gave up on what they didn't understand, what they couldn't have known. I won't forget you. Ever.