The privilege of being a mother.

As I mentioned earlier this week, I forgot about Mother's Day. Yes, as a magazine editor and mom blogger, it is in my face, yet I just couldn't grasp that it was just around the corner.  I am pretty sure it's because my mind is a bit overworked due to my hectic life.  These days I am working my full time job, juggling my boy, wifey to my husband, and on top of all of this - my husband and I have been working on adopting a second child.  Before we started the process many people warned us that this process would make this one of the hardest years of my life and I would be amazed at the amount of work required to make this happen.  Well, let's just say they were right. 

 

In a nutshell, it has been everything from hard, to sad, to heartbreaking.  This process has made me realize I am simply human.  A vulnerable human.  And this process is exactly that, a process.  After taking seven months to complete the paper work (!!!) we learned that the division that supported the adoption we were working on had closed to due lack of funding.  That was a punch right in the gut.  Then we entered this new phase where people (not many, but more than one!) would call us and say 'I have a baby for you!'.  Luckily I remained level headed and waited.... and each time it fell through.  While I know these people had good intentions and meant well, they simply don't understand New York adoptions.  Needless to say, this whole process has thickened my skin, and my heart.  It hasn't been easy.    

Erica, my partner here at motherburg is expecting baby #3, and even though she is half way to her due date, has hit some bumps along the way to getting there.  This year I have realized, more than ever, how much of a privilege it is to call oneself "mother".  I am beyond grateful that I am a mom to an amazing little boy.  Sure, there are some tough times.  But then there are those moments where you realize the incredible love this person has given you.  So trusting.  So complete.  So pure.  My son has been a bit of a jerk lately - well, not a total one - but he has definitely been giving me and my husband a run for our money.  Recently I broke down in tears after a bad week of adoption news.  My son saw me.  He took that moment to be kind and reassure me that everything was going to be ok and work out.  Wisdom from a five year old.  A five year old that I call my son.  And then I am quickly reminded why I feel like the luckiest lady in the world.  Happy Mother's Day to all.