giving mothers recognition

I was a little torn today at church... a new baby was given a father's blessing and after the beautiful blessing a member of the bishopric asked the Mother to stand so we, as the congregation could respect her for giving birth to this beautiful baby. I of course, feel this was a valid concept and yes, childbirth should be recognized as a great accomplishment. I get that.... but I also felt that deep gut wrenching pain in my heart, again I was left out of the exclusive "Fertility Club." It's moments like this that I hurt, it's moments like this that I succumb to the grief I thought I had overcome. Again, it validates that yes, adoption made me a Mother, but it did not 'cure' my infertility.

But then, just as I had that darkness overcome me, a little 5-year-old hand patted my leg and whispered to me that she loved me. Yes, I am a Mother, yes I can claim to of born my beautiful baby girls, maybe not of my own womb, but through my trials, faith, prayer and pain. My children did not grown under my heart, but in it. So today I proudly stand and claim my recognition for raising two beautiful spirits of Heavenly Father in an eternal family where love is born throughout the ends of time.
This bronze sculpture reminds me of an empty womb, but still cradling life in it's hand... my inspiration is my family. It is my chance to reach for more and to be grateful for life and accepting Heavenly Father's higher (and much better) plan for me.