I sincerely want to wish all those who mother, who nurture young people into greater being a happy and wonderful day. I am deeply grateful for all those who have (and do) nurture me — my biological mother and grandmothers as well as the scores of others who have fulfilled that role in my life at different time. Thank you. For all the “aunties” who have gently offered advice and support. Thank you. For all my chosen “sisters” who have loved me through thick and thin. Thank you. If it weren’t for all of you, I would not be the person I am today.

I also know that this is a holiday fraught with complexity. Mother’s Day can trigger grief and shame. For those of you who grieve the loss of mothers; for those who never knew their mother; for those who were abandoned and hurt by mothers; for those of you who want to become mothers but are unable because of biology or circumstance; for those who grieve the loss of their children to miscarriage, disease or accident; for those who feel they have failed at mothering. You are not alone. We share your grief.

I pray today that we all remember the blessing of loving nurture in our lives — whether the source of that mothering was our biological mother, grandmothers, aunts, friends, neighbors or even from fathers, grandfathers, uncles. I pray that we are grateful for the many ways that none of us becomes who we are without a lot of nurture, a lot of support, a lot of sacrifice on the part of others to help us get there.

Bless those who nurture. May we each be a nurturing blessing to others.