Parenting is easy and filled with constant, never-ending joy, said no one ever. The decisions are hard, the nights are sleepless and the heartbreak can be debilitating. But the love is real and worth all of it, otherwise, I’m not entirely sure why we would keep procreating. On that note, it’s almost Mother’s Day!

I remember the days of making bright, paper flower bouquets and awkward, silhouette drawings for my mom and being thrilled to honor her. Then, at some point as I got older, Mother’s Day got emotionally complicated. Of course we love a day to celebrate our mothers and for those of us that are mothers, to be celebrated. But the day can’t go by without thinking of friends who have lost their mothers, or who have lost children, or pregnancies, or who wanted to be mothers but weren’t able.

Becoming a mother, loving a mother and being a mother can be more far more complicated than billed.

Because there is no way to know everyone’s personal history, instead of wishing someone a happy mother’s day, try wishing them a gentle mother’s day instead.

A day gentle on their ever-present worry and second-guessing.

A day gentle on their difficult emotions of loss or disappointment.

A day gentle on their heavy responsibilities that come with caring for their family.

A day gentle on their emotional and physical well-being.

And may that gentleness lead to all their happiness.

Wishing you all the most gentle Mother’s Day.