Celebrating your "Mama" Birthday

Summer is a time of reflection as I became a mother this season, years ago.

Every summer, on my eldest son’s birthday, I feel a wave of emotion. Not only about the year passed and how much he has grown – but for what his birthday means for my life as his mother. All those years ago today I became a mom. I transitioned from “maiden” to “mother” – a whole metamorphosis. On just one day, we can mark in our biographies the end of one whole life chapter and the beginning of another.

The emotions that come up include pride (how I managed the birth, all those years of mothering this little human), nostalgia (for my life before children, but also for the early years of their lives as tiny ones), and gratitude. I feel deeply grateful for having been given the privilege of being this little boy’s mother (along with his brother) and to guide them through wild ride that is this life.

On this day every year, I make an effort to take a moment and celebrate my “birth” as a mother. Normally I don’t talk about it (except this year). I often even give myself some kind of gift, too. Most often, I book myself a massage – which for me is the ultimate nourishing act. Maybe I attend a women’s circle or go out for a meal with one of my soul sisters. What matters is that I take the opportunity to celebrate the big change I went through on that day, years ago.

Do you do the same thing on your eldest’s child’s birthday? If not, why not start now? Unlike other celebrations, you don’t have to make this public unless you want to. It may be a small yearly ritual you keep to yourself. Or maybe you throw a mama party and shout it from the rooftops. It is your life, and it is worth celebrating in your own way!

Here’s to you, mama!