On Sunday, May 12th, we celebrate “mothers.” One does not qualify as a mother simply by giving birth to another human being. There are many amongst us who are “mothers” by other means (adoption, foster, surrogate...). You also do not have to be a female to “mother” (verb). What you do need, is to LOVE.  To put the needs of another before your own. Sometimes that means you hold, cuddle, and comfort.  Other times you push, step aside, watch the mistake unfold, then pick up your child and help put them back together.  Mothering is not easy.  While it brings with it incredible joy, at times it’s exhausting and accompanied with tears.  The opportunity to mother - is a GIFT.  One not to be taken for granted, nor squandered.

Let us also take a moment to reflect upon Sunday, June 19th, when we celebrate “fathers.”  One does not qualify as a father for simply planting a seed.  There are many amongst us who are “fathers” by other means (adoption, foster, surrogate...).  You do not have to be a male to “father” (verb).  What you do need, is to LOVE.  To put the needs of another before your own. Sometimes that means you hold, cuddle, and comfort.  Other times you push, step aside, watch the mistake unfold, then pick up your child and help put them back together.  Fathering is not easy.  While it brings with it incredible joy, at times it’s exhausting and accompanied with tears.  The opportunity to father - is a GIFT.  One not to be taken for granted, nor squandered.

Mothers and fathers typically (but not always) exist within the structure of a family.  A family might include one mother and one father.  It might include two mothers, or two fathers.  Perhaps even one mother/father and one child...  The permutations are numerous and beautiful.  Families sometimes change.  They can grow, or reshape.  There is one single factor that defines family - L.O.V.E.  Let us take the opportunity on these two Sundays to examine this love.  How do we show it?  How do we express it?  How do we honor it?  How do we keep it alive?

This beautiful song by Rachel Platten is dedicated to my two extraordinary children, Samantha and Alex.  This world, and my life, are better places “since you came along.”  Thank you for teaching my heart how to love in unimaginable ways.  Because of you, I have a fierce love for ALL children whom I have the privilege to know.  You make me better.  Sunday, I will celebrate you!

Better Place

By Rachel Platten

I'll tell the world (I'll sing a song)
It's a better place since you came along
(Since you came along)
Your touch is sunlight through the trees
Your kisses are the ocean breeze
Everything's alright when you're with me

And I hold my favorite thing
I hold the love that you bring
But it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
There's a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It's a better place since you came along...
It's a better place since you came along...

I see the whole world in your eyes
It's like I've known you all my life
We just feel so right
So I pour my heart into your hands
It's like you really understand
You love the way I am

And I hold my favorite thing
I hold the happiness you bring
But it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
And the sun paints the skies and the wind sings our song
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along

Now I'm alright, now I'm alright
(Everything's alright)

Cause it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
There's a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along