To those who gave birth this year – we celebrate with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, still births, failed adoptions, running away, illness – we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears and disappointment – we walk with you

To those who are foster mums, mentor mums and spiritual mums – we need you

To those who have lost their mothers – we grieve with you

To those who have experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who have lived through medical tests, illnesses and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

To those who are pregnant with new life both expected and surprising – we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day we walk with you

Mothering is not for the fainthearted - we remember you all

Picture by Charlie