Happy Mothers Day to all!

I am very, very blessed to have quite a few special women in my life.

Number one, is my mom. I am very lucky to have a mom I not only love very much, but one I consider one of my best friends in the world. I know that any mistakes she may have made when I was growing up were done out of love and with the best of intentions. But no mistakes come readily to mind. I’m sure she made some, we are all human and make them… I know I’m probably going to do more than my fair share with my kids… but I feel in all honesty that everything good about being a mom, I learned from her. The mistakes I make will be my own. (To give an example of how cool my mom is… she absolutely does not enjoy flying… yet guess who will be accompanying me to China to get Georgia while my husband stays at home with our son?)

You are the best, mom!

Then there is her mother, my grandma. Her name is Imogene. I am blessed to have her in my life, and so glad my children can get to know her…their great-grandma. (Thomas calls her “Grammy”) This is the same name I used for my own great-grandmother, whom I was fortunate enough to know.) My Grammy Julia died at age 99 when I was a teenager.

And then there are three of my aunts Donna, Millie and Mary. One is aunt by blood, but all three are my aunts by love. In fact, when I really think about it, it was they who taught me that FAMILY… real family…. was not a matter of blood but love. I have more aunts than those three, and they are special too, but to name them all would turn this entry into a real book! (hahah)

Also, there is my mother-in-law. I am fortunate enough to both like and love her. She’s a special lady who raised the kind and considerate man who became my husband. She is one heck of a cool lady!

Another special lady I know is the one I call my sib, Elena. She is not my sibling by blood, but heart…. I always say she is the sister I would choose if we were allowed to choose our siblings. And this isn’t meant as a “dis” on my dear brother … I think I’d choose him too! (Just kidding, Dave… I know I’d choose you!)

Then there are the ayis (”aunties”) in all the orphanages in China, but particularly in the Yangzhou orphanage where Georgia currently lives. From what others have said, I know these special women not only care for the children but love them. According to her translated growth report, Georgia loves to give hugs to those she is closest too, and cries if her hugs are rejected. That tells me she is loving and giving… and while a person’s natural inclination might start off that way, it will only continue if it is nurtured.

And last, but not least…. I want to honor Georgia’s first mother. When I think of her, I feel an overwhelming rush of sympathetic sorrow…and gratitude. Both centered on the fact that because of her choice, I get the chance to be a mom again. There aren’t words enough to really express how I feel. The most challenging thing in the years ahead will be to keep what I feel seperate from what Georgia feels. I want to support Georgia in whatever she feels toward her first mother… let her know its okay to love her.. its okay to be angry…and its okay to feel both at the same time!

Happy mother’s day.