Arise and Awaken to the Beauty Within You
Since this is a site for and about birthmothers, I wish to acknowledge all of the ones in me who stand up in salute to birthmothers around the world. I birthed this site with the ambition of creating a circle of and for women, a safe place where our birthmother voices can be heard. You will note, Dear Reader, that the first and last post I wrote is dated nearly a year ago. Perhaps the lengthy time lag between posts is indication of how unsafe the world still feels for the voice of the birthmother in me. It may also be indication of the weight of judgment which has for centuries been culturally supported; judgment that condemns the out of wedlock mother to shame. This shame paints a thin veil of silence over everything I think, feel, and desire to express as a birthmother. I wonder how many of you feel the presence of this veil? Whether whisper thin, or unbearably heavy, does a veil of silence accompany you?
How many of you regularly share this deepest aspect of who you are? Do you let it be known, in your circle of friends, what questions the birthmother in you still asks? What longings she has? What her secret desires are? How often do you yourself pay attention to the feelings that rise up within you; feelings directly associated to the fact of your existence in the world as one who carried and birthed a child only to let her/him go? Do you ever marvel at the depth of your love for your child? Are you ever astonished by your own strength to let your child go? Does it shock you, the curiosity you still have about this one of your loins?
I have been pondering my own experience as a birthmother for nearly two decades now. In subsequent postings I will share with you my thoughts and feelings regarding this experience. I wish to acknowledge the thousands of women throughout the world who share the unique role of being birthmothers. I believe that collectively we possess deep wisdom and valuable lessons which can benefit the human community. This wisdom and value can come through us only if we pull aside the veil that obscures our vital presence. Let us realize the gifts of our experience. In so doing, we can arise and awaken to the beauty within us–a beauty which brought into the world a new soul whose first breath and very life were born from our power, strength, and love.
I celebrate you in love,
Julian