Mother's Day Wish
This is not a gendered conversation.
This is not the next story installment of the story, either.
Consider this a special, vital, Public Service Announcement.
One of my children-born-with-a-penis1 was on their own self-reflective journey last week while my throat was working overtime to expand. (More on that next time).
He posted on Instagram the following communication for himself and the people he loves:
“Ever since moving into apt 442 with these four weirdos, my life has exploded into worlds of color. I have found beauty and love in places I hadn’t before. I found meaningful conversations at 11pm at night. And I found trust and connection. I am forever thankful for meeting this group of queers, and beyond lucky I get to come home to them every evening….”
As I read this I could feel my heart expanding like the Grinch.3
As a parent, all I ever want is for my children to know who they are and love their life.
For some of my children that does not come with a need for multi-syllabic-hyphenated introduction that arose out of deep reflective wisdom. Rather, it is a deep unquestioning knowing.
Deep-seeded4, in this post will be called: Father.
Father has the ability to place something extremely precious securely so nothing can dislodge it. Something intended to grow strong. Father stands watch to provide stability and support life around so what is precious can reach its full potential.
This is NOT a gendered conversation. It is a functional word. The definition I am inventing for the purposes of this PSA5.
Mother, in this PSA, has the ability to nurture exploration so deep roots can stably receive and provide sustenance. To tend to what is precious so it/she/they/he/we/zi may grow.
Which brings us to today: Mother’s Day6.
I am using the word Mother as a definitional term of an intention and functional creation to nurture and be a safe place to grow.
The uterus is a structure that has evolved specifically to create a safe space, hospitable and nurturing environment to grow something precious that requires deep tending. To create opportunity for new life forms7 to emerge. This includes the need to forcefully purge, expel, erode and eradicate on a regular (if not wholly regular) basis so new life forms can emerge, again.
This is a miracle.
As scientific as you want to be with the reality it is also a spiritual metaphor for any being who is built to nurture with or without the presence of a uterus.
Like Mother Earth, whatever pronouns you use and body parts you have/will have/ wish to have or used to have, if YOU have ever created a safe space for life to find itself, to nurture life’s growth to reveal and discover itself, then YOU are a Mother. And the world needs you. And I thank you.
Get the acknowledgement.
Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for creating, nurturing, tending, shedding, bleeding, involuting, expanding and repeating, growing GOOD in the world.
I love you ALL.
This is new terminology I am trying on after a family discussion around the dinner table last night. It is a mouthful at first (no pun intended:) With practice it starts to roll off the tongue and feel very clear in its intended communication. You are invited to practice together with me. Invent your own terminology and please share in the comments so I may learn with you!
My favorite number. Just sayin’ ;)
Mine expanded 44x. But you already knew that.
Please see inaugural entry if you need a refresher on this term.
I am really liking this footnote feature! PSA=Public Service Announcement=Intended for Good.
While discussions of body parts and purpose, such as uteri, are more vital than ever, this is not this conversation.
Foreshadowing: I am a trekkie.