Bless the Mothers

Tonight my mind wanders to Haiti. As we are inundated with media coverage and troublesome pictures, I think of the mothers of Haiti. For the mothers that have lost their children....For the mothers that don't know if their child is dead or alive....For the mothers that have died leaving their children as orphans....For the mothers looking through the wreckage for some sort of life.....For the mothers searching for medical aide and food for her young. What must it be like to have lost everything. To be in a country that hardly functioned before the earthquake, never mind now. Where can these brave women find peace? How can they have hope?

I can't imagine being in that situation. How would I survive? Could I? I want to think that I would be strong for my children and search until there is nothing left to search for, but I don't know. My mother and grandmother before her were such strong, incredible women. They faced many adversities and came out the winner. They dealt with poverty, sickness, working full time jobs and raising their young. I strive every day to be the mother that they were and are. They would be strong..nothing would stand between them and their kids. I would like to think that this feeling, these traits are hereditary.

As a child I was always taught to appreciate the United States of America. To understand and realize how lucky I was to be an American child. Looking at the devastation in Haiti, I am even more thankful. Being born in this country was a blessing...a gift that no one could ever take away. Being an American is only a dream for most people...I was born here. A country with a stable government, with opportunities, with infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters. A country that is protected by the world's best military. A place where I feel safe at night...where I can be assured that my children will have a bright tomorrow. Believe me, I am a realist, I know that there are many issues and problems here in America. I realize that we are in a deep recession and that many people are without jobs. I am aware that not all mothers have a home to bring their child to or food to sustain their appetites. But stepping back....I am alive. I live in the greatest nation and I have the opportunity to raise my children as I feel fit.

There are many things that one might pray for this evening, but I encourage everyone to pray for the mothers of Haiti and those missing. Watch the news and don't become desensitize by the media coverage. The people of Haiti are humans with goals, dreams and a desire to live. Bless the mothers and help us to recognize their true inner strength. Pray that we as mothers, in very different situations, can only be half that strong. Thank the Lord that our children are safe, warm and where we can see them. Just pray!