It is wild to think that after the years of sleepless nights, doctors’ appointments, cuddles,
tantrums, milestones and regressions, laughter and tears, coos and sighs, happiness,
fear, anxiety, frustration, pride, happiness, and joy, the days in and the days out of wake /
eat / play / learn / eat / sleep / repeat, I thought I knew what it meant to be a Mom – but I
didn’t. It is wild to think that the worst of these years showed me what it actually is.
And that I had only just skimmed the tip of the iceberg.
Being a Mom means being firm, but kind; cautious, but adventurous; protective, but encouraging;
fun, but serious. It means being aloof, but sensitive; distant, but right there. It means every dichotomy
you can think of. And more. It is messy. It is complex. It comes easy to us (even though some (at lot of)
times it is so hard) because we are Moms and it is what we were born and innately know how to do.
Which is why – as I have watched in horror over the last 2+ years as they have tried to diminish, deny, destroy,
chip away at and strip away our identity, our bodies, our genetics, our power and these innate capabilities –
I finally realized what being a Mom truly means:
Being a mom, yes, means all those things mentioned above. But, more than that, it
means never, ever, ever backing down from protecting any child, and every single piece of
what it means to be a Mom. It means clinging to and wielding the Powers inside us because no
one else knows how to or will. It means going to Battle – no, waging War – to – protect the vulnerable
in our Communities. It means more than anything I have ever seen or felt or experienced in my life and
I would rather die than allow someone to take that away from me.
Or from you.
Which is why we won’t. I – we – will never stop fighting. For you, for me, for US, for the Moms
and the Dads, for the Decent Human Beings with a Conscience and Heart, for the Guardians,
the Grandparents, the Aunties and Uncles, the neighbors and Good Samaritans on the street,
and – most importantly – for all the children, yours and ours, old and young, and everyone in
between who are too vulnerable to speak up for and protect themselves.
This is our Promise to you, our FLTJ Family, today, Mother’s Day, and always.
We hope you will accept it.
Wishing you the most wonderful Mother’s Day, yet, full of love, laughter, snuggles, and rest.
One you have richly earned.
Massive Mamas’ Day hugs to each and every one of you,
#RISEUP
Your FLTJ Team