carry hope

CARRY HOPE pendant ~ featured in my Etsy shop

As Mother's Day is upon us once again, I am reminded what a complicated day it truly is. The Hallmark concept is to celebrate our mother's for all that they do. Which of course we should celebrate those who raised us; motherhood is a hard gig, to be sure. However, I have always been conflicted when it comes to holidays like this as they are not so easily defined.

About a week ago, I received a request from a sweet soul named Magpie Girl. She wanted to give a gift to her friend for Mother's Day. Her friend was in her second trimester of a long awaited pregnancy when her little one's heart stopped beating. She is now waiting for her body to take care of the details. Magpie reached out to me to create a necklace for her friend as she knew I would understand this pain. She wanted to help celebrate her friend on a day that isn't just about flowers and diamonds as the television industry would have us believe.

I wept when she shared the very personal letter to her friend that was to be included in her package and as I got to know a bit more about both of these women, it all hit home for me and brought me back to my own story. It was not so long ago that I remember the lost and confused emotions surrounding this day and was asking myself: What is a mother exactly? At the time I felt like a mother who didn't yet have a child of my own, therefore was not yet a mother by Webster's standards.

So where does that leave the many women who are still waiting to connect with their little ones, yet are still mother's in every sense of the word?
Where does that leave the women who do have children but don't have support: financially, emotionally or otherwise?
Where does that leave the women whose own mother's, or children, have passed on?
Where does that leave the women who are mother's to their careers, their art, their cause, their pets or their shoe closet?

We have all birthed something, children or otherwise, and therefore should all be celebrated.

The necklace her friend received is the one you see above. It holds special meaning for the two friends it was initially made for and is created in remembrance for her sweet little soul ~ the one who couldn't stay this time around. It is to celebrate that she is indeed a mother, and to always carry hope for the future, whatever it may hold.

I know there are thousands of stories like this out there. It is because of this, and that fact that I love this necklace so much, that I knew I had to offer it under it's own category: Remembrance. Of course times being what they are, these words can be worn close to our hearts for a myriad of reasons.

I want to thank these two ladies for giving me two gifts as well:

*I had been wanting to offer a pendant of remembrance for some time but wanted to make sure it was worthy of those who would receive it and this sentiment is exactly what I wished to convey. I wanted it to complement my HOPE necklace ~ the one I made for myself as both reminder and remembrance that birthed the very idea of Bella Wish as a business. I know a necklace could never take away the pain of loss and grief, but a thoughtful gesture from a loved one never goes unappreciated in times of sorrow.

* Also, tomorrow is Mother's Day and I wanted to share that there will be no parade in our house because of this fact. My husband is going to see Star Trek with a group of friends. Yes, I admit at first I was a bit annoyed and having selfish thoughts surrounding this choice, (and not just because I want to see it too) but now my perspective has changed 180 degrees.

Weekends are normally my workdays, but tomorrow, while my husband is out enjoying something he is very passionate about (he is a total sci-fi geek, he beams and becomes animated when talking about this movie ~ it's awesome) with some fun friends, I get to spend a chunk of the day with my daughter. The sweet little girl who calls me mama. The one who I shower millions of kisses upon each day out of sheer love and gratitude. We are going to play and sing and dance and remember that hope truly works.

May we celebrate all women tomorrow, and everyday.

Comments

[Marianne]

Thank you sweet Stacy for this incredibly thoughtful post. I feel like I've been seen and acknowledged in a world that almost never notices those of us who don't fit the "model" of a "normal" life. You are a blessing. x

[Carol]

I almost never know what to say in situations like this, I am at a loss for words, despite experiencing grief many times during my life. But this post is so touching and thoughtful. The pendant is beautiful and I'm sure that it will be treasured.

[jenica]

thank you for all of this, love. truly beautiful. i'm so glad you're able to extend your talent to truly touch souls... that's what it's all about it. and what a good example this gives to sweet bella boo.

love you.

[sueberry]

Happy Momma's Day to you!!!! XOXO

[denise]

That was beautiful.

[Anja]

Hi there

I maybe want to buy a bracelet with words but I dent know how I can contact you about wat it costs. Can you answer me by this way? And can I put down words that I want to have on the bracelet? (Sorry my enlish isn'n very good)

Greetings Anja