{Hers} No Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day I am choosing to go silent.  When my husband asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day I told him nothing.  I wanted to just be.  Then I learned that in my nothingness I could actually do something.

I first learned about Christy Turlington Burns’ organization Every Mother Counts after working with Heidi on an Organizational Spotlight post.  It was shocking to learn how many women die giving birth, approximately one every 90 seconds.  Even more shocking – 90% of these deaths are preventable.

When I had my daughter several years ago I experienced severe complications after giving birth.  I was basically told that I could have died.  Thankfully I didn’t lose my life.  Thanks to the grace of God and the fact that I was blessed with access to quality healthcare I have had the opportunity to watch my child live and grow, something sadly so many mothers do not get the chance to do.

And now here I sit.  Pregnant with baby number two.  One morning I sat and watched Christy’s video on No Mother’s Day.  I was moved.  Moved to tears.  My daughter came in and asked me what I was watching.  I explained to her that I was watching a video about Mother’s Day and how sometimes mommies get really sick when having their babies and don’t survive.  “Are you going to be ok mommy?”, she asked looking down at my belly.  I told her I would.  I pray that I will be.  From the moment I found out I was pregnant in the back of my mind was a fear that I would go through the same thing I did with my first.  But I am trusting that everything will be ok.  I know that my reality is very different from that of the numerous women facing extreme poverty, lack of quality healthcare.

I can’t help but think of the many women, both here in the U.S. and throughout the world, who are not able to take comfort in the fact that they have access to doctors and medical professionals, something so many of us take for granted.  I can’t help but think of the many babies who will never know their mamas.  Imagine not witnessing your baby’s first smiles, steps or graduation.  It’s heartbreaking to think that way.

I know that my silence isn’t a quick fix for this issue but it is my belief that if just one of you become aware of this epidemic through my silence then it was not in vain.  The saying is “silence is golden” and in this case I believe it most certainly is.

As for my Little Miss.  I am certain today she will come home with an art project made especially for me and with open arms I will happily accept it.  I don’t believe the point of No Mother’s Day is to reject our children’s tokens or gestures of appreciation should they feel compelled to give them.  I think each of us can show our support in some way.  For me I don’t feel that I am being shortchanged or missing out because we are not celebrating  one holiday.  The thing about my child is that she doesn’t just wait for designated days to express her love for me she does it every day.  She lets me know that she’s thankful for me and thinks I’m a great mom often.  So does my husband.  So that the fact that we are not choosing to devote one single day of the year to all things mom isn’t going to upset our household in the slightest.  For us this will be  a teaching moment – a reminder of how small acts can lead to great things and that truly Every Mother Counts.

On May 13th I will joining thousands of mothers throughout the world as we allow our silence to allow the voices of the women and girls who will not live to celebrate a Mother’s Day or any other day for that matter to be heard.

For those of you who will not receive a phone call, a text or card from me I pray that you already know that I am grateful for your presence in my life.  For those of you who receive no response from me know that I am not unappreciative but rather feel compelled to lend my voice to a cause that is so important and prayerfully, there’s always next year.
And so I leave you with this (taken from EveryMotherCounts.org) -

I wanted to let you know that this Mother’s Day, I’ll be participating in No Mothers Day.

The goal is to raise awareness about the 358,000 girls and women around the world who die each year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

As part of No Mothers Day, I won’t answer any phone calls or emails. This way, I’ll help remind everyone how much mothers are missed when they are gone, and hopefully bring attention to the issue.

You can help me by sharing the video in the link below. By using your voice to educate others about this global tragedy, you will be a part of the solution. Together, let’s give Mother’s Day more meaning this year, so that more of us will be around to celebrate next year.

facebook.com/everymothercounts

Love,
Mom.

The fact that you are able to read this, no matter what your thoughts, is a gift.  It means you are here.  You are alive.  And now you have the ability to do something even if it’s spreading the awareness on such a critical issue.  To learn more and watch the video visit http://everymothercounts.org/nomothersday/

Be Blessed!

Krishann

p.s. Still feeling the urge to give a gift on May 13th?  Consider donating the money to Every Mother Counts or even purchasing one of their products.  A portion of the sales will go to educating and supporting at risk women and girls around the world.