(Un)Happy Mother’s Day

UnHappy Mother’s Day

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, a time of celebration for wonderful women everywhere. Our pastor took a moment to recognize that this holiday is not happy for everyone: for children who grew up with an abusive parent and for women who lost a baby in a miscarriage. I hold the double distinction.

Abuse

On the first topic, my mother, a victim of mental illness, was abusive, verbally and physically.

The Birthday Card

These behaviors carried on in the emotional realm even much later in life. At 72, the thought still elicits a sad twinge.

Mother’s Day

My aunt, my mother’s sister, suffered in almost a reverse fashion due to a daughter who was afflicted by manic-depression. We took comfort in each other.

Liberator.

I grew up as an essentially motherless daughter, and so longed for my own child: it was not meant to be. I married an abusive man, himself the son of an abusive father. I lost my only pregnancy in the traumatic event described above. [The three poems above come from my book ***Family Treasons***.]

Broken Heart

My dear sister lost her adult son to the tragedy of a drug overdose. She still grieves his absence many years later.

Mother’s Day Celebration

How was your Mother’s Day? Was it a pleasant, enjoyable experience, or did it bring up sad memories?

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