On Mother’s Day - I want to begin by saying that I have a mother in the normative sense (biologically my mother) & I am very blessed that she is a strong, empowering, fulfilling & wonderful presence in my life. But on a day like today it is also important that we reflect a little

Little wider & challenge notions that we hold on Mother’s and motherhood. First that people are mothers in many ways - not just through biological functions of having a child. They are mothers who adopt, through surrogacy, to people not their biological children, to groups,

Movements, organizations, & more. Also not all people have mothers present in their lives - either as they have passed away or they are no longer a part of their lives. Some people have never had and will never have mothers in the traditional sense as well. We must also remember

That not all mothers are nurturing, good or superwomen. Some are not and that’s okay. Some are toxic influences on their children & some people have removed their mothers from their lives. Celebrate (as I do) by all means if you feel moved to do so, but never stop interrogating

Things we take for granted and assume is everyone’s normal. Be open, question the norm and be aware that our truth is not everyone else’s truth as well.

Something I should have added to this thread before - but better late than never - is also remembering and acknowledging those women feel they have been denied the experience of motherhood through infertility or miscarriages, and those who have lost children. Their pain sometimes

Feels invisible & goes by I acknowledged. Also remember those who are child-free by choice and that this is a valid state of being as well. Motherhood or being another is not a neat box we check off as women, not is it something we have to be in order to be valid & ‘fulfilled’

As people. How you define it is a choice, how you become it is a choice and if you ever want to be it is also a choice. That is the dream.