The world sees the mother
who pushes, breathing through her pain, birthing
who tenderly caresses a smooth, small face
who nourishes her child at her breast
who tells the story to her son of how he came into her life
who watches her daughter grow into a woman

The wiping of noses and butts
the lack of sleep
the inability to quiet the screaming discontent
kisses given to mend boo boos
hugs savored, especially when they are given reluctantly 

This, the world understands
supports
encourages
rises up as the pinnacle of human experience

Yet

Not all mothers are seen
heard
recognized
supported

Not every mother gets to
conceive
meet 
hold
parent
raise
her child

There is a mother
in the tears that fall when a heartbeat can no longer be detected
in the hopes of the woman who dreams of one day having her own child
in the second pink line that appears for the first time
in the crumpled form, clutching her daughter born still
in the crestfallen face after being asked, are you going to have another?

A heart ripped apart yet somehow still beating
another round of medications and treatments
the inability to quiet thoughts of what if
kisses from a partner who cannot mend the pain
deflated breasts, the only physical memory of a pregnancy lost

This the world does not recognize
not knowing how to
support
understand
empathize with
this mother

And yet

All mothers
love
nurture
give
grow

All mothers,
whether her child
is on earth
or in the earth
in her arms
or in her dreams
deserve to be
loved
appreciated
seen

To all mothers:
today is your day
when we thank you
for what you have given
for your heart
for your devotion to another being

To the mothers
who do not have a child to hold
who have buried a son or daughter
who mourn the dream of a life you may never live:
this day is yours too
to honor your motherhood
though the world may not see it

Yet

I see you -
today, and
always.