One year ago today I rejoiced with my husband over my "first" Mother's Day. We celebrated the gift God had given us of a little girl still on the other side of the world that we had never met. It was such a special day to me, but this year, I celebrated my first Mother's Day with my daughter home. This morning I was met by my sweet girl bringing me a present and showering me with hugs and kisses. Oh what a year it has been.
Last year at this time we were packing and preparing to meet our daughter. Little did I know how my world would change that moment. Little did I know about being a mother that Mother's Day.
This year I better understand. In the last year I have gone from a still quiet home to a home bursting with joy. In the last year I have gone from sleepless nights because of insomnia and stress to sleepless nights because of teething and fevers. In the last year I have learned the inexplicable joy that comes from two little arms squeezing me tight and slobbery sweet kisses. But this year I also remember what was happening to a mother on the other side of the world at the same time last year.
Last year on Mother's Day a woman on the other side of the world found out when she would have to go to court to terminate her rights to her daughter. This year I better understand the sacrifice of that mother and stand in awe and gratitude of the great strength it took for that mother to make such a difficult decision to give her child life, hope, and a future. So, this year on Mother's Day we also celebrate and thank God for that mother through whom God made me a mother.
-amory