Celebrating Mothers in All Their Forms: A Special Mother's Day Reflection

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Motherhood isn't defined by biology alone. This heartfelt episode celebrates the many faces of maternal love – from grandmothers who stepped into primary caregiver roles, to aunts who became second mothers, to neighbors who made space for struggling teens. We honor the foster moms, adoptive mothers, stepmoms, spiritual mothers, and mentors who carried the weight of motherhood without recognition.

As I prepare to visit my own mother in South Texas, I reflect on that unmistakable comfort of going home – the familiar embrace that makes time stand still and reminds us we're truly known. These women have masterfully balanced children on one hip and groceries on the other while managing careers, homes, and countless responsibilities. Yet their greatest gift goes beyond multitasking; it's the legacy they create through sacrifice, unconditional love, wisdom, and fierce protection.

Mother's Day brings complicated emotions for many. Some have lost mothers, others are mothers grieving children, and many navigate strained maternal relationships that never quite healed. If you're carrying sorrow this weekend, know your grief is valid and you're not alone. I offer a special blessing for everyone doing the sacred work of mothering in whatever form it takes. Whether you're embracing joy, processing grief, or experiencing both simultaneously, remember that you are seen, valued, and deeply loved. Next week, we'll explore another significant transition: graduation season and the bittersweet journey of becoming an empty nester. Subscribe now so you don't miss these heartfelt stories and practical tips for navigating life's meaningful transitions.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Is there a major life transition benching you?
I know you may be asking what'snext?
What's my purpose?
What if?
Because I've asked those too.
Welcome to the Start yourComeback podcast.
I'm Toni Thrash, a certifiedlife coach, and I want to share
the tools and practical steps tohelp you create a winning game

(00:23):
plan to move into your newadventure.
Hi, welcome back.

(00:57):
You are listening to episode 83.
I am so thrilled you're here.
This episode is a littledifferent.
I want to honor someoneincredibly important, someone
who shaped us, molded and lovedus through every season of life,
and that, of course, is ourmoms.

(01:18):
We're just a few days away fromthat moment we set aside every
year to celebrate moms, not justbiological moms.
I'm talking about thegrandmothers who stepped in to
raise a child, the aunts whowere second mothers, the
neighbors who made space for astruggling teen, the foster moms

(01:39):
, the adoptive moms, stepmoms,spiritual moms and those mentor
moms, the women who carried theweight of motherhood in its many
forms.
Tomorrow I'm heading down toSouth Texas, central Texas, to
spend some time with my mom.
There's just always somethingabout going home the familiar

(02:03):
coffee cups in the cupboard andthat huge hug that wraps around
you like no time has passed, butlet's be real here.
My mom has zero coffee cupsbecause, well, she doesn't drink
coffee never has but it soundedgood right After that.
I'll head back to my kids onSunday and celebrate my

(02:27):
daughter-in-law, a woman I'm soproud of and grateful for.
Mother's Day is a wonderfulopportunity to celebrate the
women who've juggled more thanmost can imagine.
They've carried toddlers on onehip, 20 bags of groceries on
the other arm, all whilebalancing work schedules, church

(02:47):
sports and somehow managing tokeep a home functioning.
Her home is well loved, butit's more than just the to-do
list and the endlessmultitasking.
It's about legacy.
It's about the sacrifices wesaw and the ones we never even
knew to thank her for.

(03:07):
It's about the love she gavewhen she had nothing left to
give.
It's about the prayers sheprayed, the advice she offered
and the fierce protection shegave when the world felt cold.
Now I don't know how thisMother's Day will land for you.
Maybe you've lost your mom,maybe you're a mom who's lost a

(03:32):
child.
Maybe this holiday hitsdifferently this year because
someone is missing from yourtable, maybe you're a mom who's
lost a child, or maybe yourrelationship with your mother is
strained and you're grievingsomething that was never quite
whole.
You just really want to have anormal Mother's Day, and your
mom isn't the same as other inquotes normal moms.

(03:55):
Maybe you're a single mom andyour kids are too young to do
anything for you, so you throwyour own Mother's Day
celebration.
Let me just say this You're notalone.
If you're carrying some sort ofsorrow this weekend, I want you
to know that your grief is valid, your story matters and I see

(04:20):
you.
More importantly, god sees you.
And to the woman who'slistening and has done the hard
work of loving kids, whetherthey were born to you or simply
brought to you, I want you tohear this loud and clear you are
special, you are loved, you arecherished and you are adored,

(04:41):
and you're doing a great job.
You are worth celebrating, evenif no one has told you that
lately.
I want to speak a shortblessing over you right now.
If you're driving, walking,maybe doing the dishes or just
sitting quietly, pause for justa moment and receive this.
My prayer for you is this MayGod's peace comfort you as you

(05:08):
walk through another year of joy, sadness or both.
May you feel his nearness inthe silence and his strength in
your weakness.
I pray that you rest in thearms of those who love you
deeply and are wild about you.
May you find your people, theones who see you, support you

(05:31):
and hold space for your story,and may you, in turn, be a light
to others, because you'reneeded, you're worthy, you are
loved.
Take care of yourself thisweekend.
Breathe in the sweet moments,allow yourself the freedom to
feel everything joy, grief,gratitude, nostalgia, you name

(05:53):
it.
If you're fortunate enough tostill have your mom, call her.
If you can hug her, or ifthere's a woman in your life who
spilled a mother's shoes, thankher.
And if you're that woman forsomeone else, know you're doing
holy work Wherever you are.

(06:14):
Remember this God sees you, hetreasures you and he loves you
very much.
So go ahead, wrap your armsaround that mom figure,
grandmother, aunt, mentor,daughter-in-law, or even your
grown daughter, who is now a momherself, and whisper the words

(06:35):
we all long to hear I love youand I'm so grateful for you.
Thank you for everything you do.
That's it for now, sweetfriends.
Next week we're diving intosomething many of you have asked
about Graduation season and thebittersweet shift into becoming
an empty nester, whether yourlast one is about to leave the

(06:57):
house or you're still wonderinghow to prepare for that chapter.
I've got stories, tips and alot of heart to share.
You won't want to miss it.
Until then, take care, loveyour people and don't forget
you're doing better than youthink.
I'll see you next time.
Hey, thanks for listening.

(07:19):
I don't take it for grantedthat you're here.
You didn't listen by mistake.
If you want to reach out, youcan DM me on Instagram at Tony
Thrash.
Until next week.
Remember.
There's still time left on theclock.
Let's get you off the bench tostart your comeback.
I want to give a special shoutout to Country Club for the

(07:40):
original music.
You can find them on Instagramat Country Club.
Free audio post production.