I am truly blessed! I remember when I became a mom, I thought it would fill the Mother’s Day sadness I have from losing my mother at the age of 24. That didn’t happen. Motherhood has brought so much joy that I cannot even begin to describe it, but I was even more sad that my mom wasn’t around to meet Alice and be her grandmother.
Also, as I have gone through various stages, joys and challenges in my life, I have missed mom. Of course, adopting Alice was one of those moments. I often tell the story of Alice being named. While I was waiting to adopt, I referred to my child as Alice, but when it came time to actually name her, I wasn’t sure. I received my referral for Alice the day after she was born. The name I gave her would go on her actual Guatemalan birth certificate. I decided to name her Maricela Alice. Maricela is her birth middle name. I thought of calling her Mari-Alice. Although one friend heard that and said she would be teased and called Aurora Borealis. I also went to an After You Adopt event to help out and every child seemed to have a simple, one syllable name – Ann, Lynn or Mike. I couldn’t even remember the name I chose – Marsala, Marisol, Maricela? What had I done? I know, so silly!
Well, a few days passed and the adoption agency got back to me. The folks in Guatemala had misunderstood my instructions. They put Alice Maricela on the birth certificate. I was told I could change it when I got to the States. I couldn’t do that! I knew my mom was in Guatemala watching over my baby and wanted that little girl named Alice. And my daughter is such an Alice. Strong, beautiful and kind hearted just like her grandmother!
Another situation where I missed mom a lot was when I was diagnosed with Stage IV Fallopian tube cancer. Getting a diagnosis like that can make one feel so childlike and vulnerable. But I had so many women there to build me up and mother me. I am blessed with the most amazing sister who is always there with her quiet, strong loving presence. We are sisters, but we are 14 years apart. Often she she plays the mother role. I even argue with her at times as if she is my mother. But when I was diagnosed two years ago with cancer, I turned to her for help and support and she was beside me every step of the way.
So many close friends have mothered me through the years, and especially during my battle with cancer. I am BLESSED! They always listen, let me cry, offer advice, build me up, help me through. I am blessed to have these women who will just be with me and let me be. I am blessed to show my daughter what a blessing it is to have true friendship in my life.
To all of the Mothers out there, happy Mother’s Day. To all of you who mother someone else in your life, happy Mother’s Day. To all of those who are feeling loss today of a child or a mom, Blessings to you! To all who are feeling a loss because they yearn to be a mom, blessings to you. Mother’s Day is a day filled with many emotions, feel them all. Be good to yourself today!
Special blessings to Alice’s birth mom. I am grateful every day for the gift and honor to be her mom.
Beautycounter Product Spotlight
On this Mother’s Day, I highly recommend you treat yourself to a Beautycounter Sugarbuff Body Polish in Lemongrass! I love the smell of lemongrass, and in a nice steamy shower, it is heavenly.
Finely milled sugar to exfoliate, and sweet almond oil to hydrate and soften skin. Light lemongrass smell, leaves your skin glowing and feeling soft and hydrated. It will make you smile!
https://www.beautycounter.com/lisasalvatore?goto=/product/sugarbuff-body-polish-in-lemongrass
Finding Abilities 