Bitter-Sweet Mother's Day

Alyssa was just a couple of weeks old last year on Mother's Day. Every Mother's Day for several years prior to Allie's birth was something I dreaded with my whole heart. I'd try to be happy when the mothers were honored at church but I'd be quietly choking back tears. I hated it. I hated that another year had come and gone and I still wasn't pregnant. I hated that I had two beautiful babies in Heaven and not one to hold here. I hated that so many unmarried teens had what I wanted more than anything....a baby.

Then, last year, God chose to give me the gift of a beautiful daughter. Now, Mother's Day is completely different for me. Usually, special days like this seem to sneak up on me, but this year I've been thinking a lot about it. This year, I can't help but think about how bitter-sweet it is:

The Sweet:
Our precious blessing, Alyssa, is 13 months old. She is healthy, smart, and full of energy. She keeps us hopping! We have 2 more additions to the extended family (Ryan and Madolyn) since last Mother's Day. This is my sister's first Mother's Day. I have the most amazing mom and a wonderful mother-in-law. I'm so thankful for the encouragment and wisdom they've provided.

The Bitter:
This is the first Mother's Day without Grandma and we'll miss her. There are friends who should be anticipating the births of their children, but these children have already gone to be with Jesus and now these mother's are facing this day without them. Their hearts broken. There are the friends who through very difficult circumstances are no longer in contact with their moms and missing them very much on this Mother's Day. And then there are the friends who long to be included in this group of Mother's.

Yes, Mother's Day is bitter-sweet. I am so thankful for the blessings God has given us, but I also think of those woman who face a difficult day and I pray for them.