A Shift in Perspective

1o years ago, I celebrated the last Mother's Day with my mother, she died 3 months later.  Since then, Mother's Day has been a bit of a tender spot for me for a couple of different reasons.  My mother was a wonderful person and I miss her greatly.  I was also not a conventional mother.  My path to motherhood was different.  I helped raise two beautiful step-daughters.  I've had several students call me “mom” or “school mom”.  I've hosted a foreign exchange student and been a "mom" to her.  I've never raised a child from infant hood.  I have had kids for portions of their life, just not all of it.

Something you may or may not know about me is that I'm adopted.  It's not something that was ever a secret in my family.  My mom used to tell the story of me sitting on her lap when I was around 2 saying, “I didn't come from your belly did I mommy”.  My parents even used to joke that one of their kids was adopted.  Most people guessed my oldest brother instead of me.  

I did always wonder about my birth parents, but never enough to explore who they are.  I had my theories and was comfortable with them.  I was raised to be grateful for the life they gave me and continue to be.  

Around 2 years ago, I decided I wanted to get my birth time.  I'm fascinated my astrology and human design.  To get accurate charts, I needed a time, so I set about trying to request my original birth certificate.  It took a year and it finally arrived.  I knew their names would be on it.  I wasn't sure what I would do in that moment.  Would I investigate to see if I could find them?  Would I let it go?  

About 30 minutes after it arrived, I started digging into research to see if I could find them.  I found him very quickly, he'd passed away in 2019.  She took a little longer, but I found her.  A month later, we met.  She's an amazing person and I'm so grateful to have her in my life.  

As I was on my way to teach this morning, I realized that I could find another way to celebrate Mother's Day, with my birth mom.  So, I made plans to celebrate her and her role in my life.

In what ways have you needed to reframe something?  Have you found a way to be through difficult circumstances?

As always, Your life is your practice.