Birthmother's Day (*Updated*)

All of you know that Sunday is Mother's Day, but do any of you know what tomorrow is? The Saturday before Mother's Day is Birthmother's Day. Most of you have probably never even heard of it. But, it is the day that birthmothers (mothers that have decided to place their children for adoption) are recognized and celebrated.
I have read many blogs about adoption, but they are all written from the perspective of adoptive parents. I have read parents explain their love for their children even though they are not biologically linked. I have read mother's defend their role, even though they did not give birth. I have read of many beautiful families that have been formed through adoptions.
But, there is another side to the story and as a birthmom, I feel led to represent and explain that side. Behind every family that is completed by adoption, there is a woman that has been left broken. She is grieving the life of a child that she has lost. Yes, she has the benefit of knowing that the child lives on, but she grieves just as a mother that has lost her child to death. The void in her life is just as great. She will never kiss his skinned knee, see his first day of school, comfort his first heart ache, beam with pride as he graduates high school and college.
Placing a child for adoption is not "something that happened in her past." It is a decision that she carries every single day of her life. She wakes up in the morning, sees her stretch marks and thinks of her child. She sees a child his age playing and wonders, "Does he like that toy? Does he have one?" People ask her every day, "Do you have children?" She always tells them that she does. She has one son. She carries pictures of him in her wallet. She cries when she hears certain songs on the radio, songs that remind her of him or that declare the dreams that she carries for him. She has his picture in her Bible marking the story in 1 Kings of two women fighting over a baby where the true mother is willing to lose her baby to spare his life. She prays for him constantly, for his safety, his future spouse, and that He will be a man of God.
Mother's Day is a very hard day for a birthmom. All around her, moms are being recognized and celebrated. Even though she does not get to be "mommy," she feels just as much of a mother as those around her. Yet, no one recognizes her. They tell her, "someday you will be a mom, too." In church, the pastor asks the mothers to stand while everyone claps for them. She doesn't know if she is supposed to stand or not, so she just sits and cries.
A mother has a love for her child that is unexplainable. It is a love that is willing to do anything necessary to ensure the safety and happiness of that child. There is no sacrifice too great. A love so great that it allows her to place him in the arms of another woman and walk away, knowing that he will be blessed, but that she will never share a moment of that blessing.
Whether they be an adoptive mother, birthmother, stepmother or biological mother, moms should be recognized every day for their love, selflessness, and wisdom...not just one day of the year.

*Update* As I have read comments this morning, I notice that the first four comments that I have received are from beautiful women, all of whom have arms that ache for children. And as I re-read my post, I feel selfish. Please do not think that I am forgetting you in this category. Each of us carries the same burden this Mother's Day and I am praying for each of you. That God will give you a peace on that day. Ever woman that longs to be a mother, has the same pain as society recognizes mothers on Mother's Day. I don't mean to say that my pain is any greater! I was trying to tell a birthmother's side of the story, but there is also another story that I do want people to hear. I want people to know what a painful day this is for those of us that long to be a mother. I do know that side of the story, too!
Remember to pray for the women in your life that are future moms, moms that are still waiting on God to bless them with their children! Sunday is a day that magnifies that void in their life.!