Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 March 2006 09:38:22
So it's mothers day today, a v. different day to the Mothering Sunday or Refreshement Sunday which Maggi explains today grew from.
In terms of what Mothering Sunday has become I have to admit today is a day I have often struggled with. It is a day where I really do feel the solitude of being a lone parent and not fitting into the stereotypical image that society and the church particularly seems to have of women and mothers.
Although I do not share or fully understand the issues that the childless have with today, it is a day when I know other friends struggle and so I hope this post will be read with understanding that I know there are others who struggle today even more than I do.
It seems that there is something wrong when an apparent celebration makes people feel marginalised, something less than ideal or something less than women.
However, this year I am determined that I will not be a wet blanket spoiling somebody elses celebration. Neither will I hide and use avoidance rather I will go into church this morning with a smile on my face and thank God for the mothering aspect I believe (s)he has. I will thank God that rather than restricting and damaging us with the stereotypes and messages of the marketing companies God gives us a model for motherhood and personhood which is liberating and empowering and encourages community rather than isolation; diversity rather than uninformity.
*Update* Church today was brilliant and the only real reference to mothers day related to the proper history of it, complete with Simnel cake.