“Fundamentalists aren’t happy unless they are against something,” my brother-in-law once informed me. And to an extent, he’s right. But more often I’ve found that liberals aren’t happy unless they are making someone feel guilty.

This morning, I went to Facebook and amidst all the folks wishing each other and their moms a happy day, one friend (an ordained minister) had posted a missive from the Huffington Post about remembering those who aren’t “mothers.” I actually think that it is a good thing, as there are many people who have longed to be a mother and have not been able to for one reason or another. I myself have had 4 miscarriages and so I understand that pain. . . but God has also graciously given us five children that are still living. I really cannot empathize with women who simply have been unable to have children and I’m not going to pretend that I can.

What got me going, however, was the rest of the post. My friend had written that she wished that churches “would not hurt these women tomorrow. But I know they will.” One of her friends followed up with the fact she “hates” Mother’s Day. Even though it was her choice not to have children, she always feels “less than” on Mother’s Day.

This is when I realize that there are many adults who need a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to bop them with some reality and common sense.

Can’t childless women choose not to feel like neglected victims and instead focus on being thankful for their own mothers? Even folks who might have had rotten mothers can be thankful that their mothers didn’t exercise “choice” before their lives even began.

What a wasted opportunity for my friend to encourage all women to think beyond their own borders. All of us have hurts and areas of continued pain that we could focus on until we’re just having what my mother calls a “pity party.” But that usually produces nothing but bitterness. Instead, why not just focus on being thankful for all mothers and not begrudge them a special day.

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