Home

Welcome Home

I’ve been away

from

home

for

just a week,

not yet

unpacked

after arriving

so late.

Returning

home

is a constant,

wherever

we go

whenever

we go.

We travel

and seek

home

somewhere

else.

Eighty degrees

on the east coast

in October

does not feel

like home.

Election

denier as 

Speaker

of the

House

does not feel

like home.

My pillows

and bed

are insufficient 

to comfort

my anxiety

about losing  

home

as I know

it.

I don’t know

how

to be

at home

in a burning

world

that seems

to be

a matter

of arson.

I was 

always

fearful

of fire—

of getting

burned.

Arsonists

are everywhere.

And yet,

some flames

are diminishing.

The criminal

confessions

mount, 

and I still

have

the idea

that we 

can return

home

and renovate

it;

upgrading

and updating

for better

protection

against

destructive

forces

that prove

to surface

and multiply

without 

intentional

safeguarding.

Meanwhile,

we can 

return home

to ourselves and

to each other

creating

home

in the face

of arson

and a world

on fire.

Returning 

home

is a constant—

even in

your house.

Being

home

is intentional. 

You

are

home.

Welcome

home.

Mother Culture/Mother Nature

Are you a mother-to-be? A new mom? An older mom? A working mom? A SAHM (Stay-at-home-mom)? A single mom? A teen mom? A soccer mom? A dance mom? A stage mother? A yoga mom? A mommy blogger? An activist mom? Do you wear Mom jeans? Are you the Mom In Chief? (Unless you are Michelle Obama, the answer is no.)

At home, are you Nurse Mom? Dr. Mom? Chauffeur Mom? Coach Mom? Cheerleader Mom? Teacher Mom? Event planner Mom? Administrative Assistant Mom? Human Resources Mom? Chef Mom? Housekeeper Mom? Librarian Mom? Accountant Mom? Shopper Mom? Nutritionist Mom? Stylist Mom? Police Mom? Detective Mom? Artist Mom? Singing Mom? President Mom? Dictator Mom? Queen Mom?

Are you joyful? Adoring? Content? Anxious? Cautious? Zealous? Spirited? Exhausted? Loving? Open? Comforting? Proud? Curious? Concerned? Careful? Bold? Kind? Protective? Discerning? Demonstrative? Caring? Nurturing? Guiding? Pedantic? Receptive? Clumsy? Consumed? Graceful? Grateful? Tender? Connected? Learning? Strong? Weak? Adapting? Evolving? Lifting? Creative? Delighted?

This Mothers’ Day, as we embrace our mothers and their nature, let’s use this cultural ritual to transform the culture of mothers (and others). Mothers, especially in the last generation, have been defined as a something-mom. The mom part is a bit self-deprecating. Is it because mothers feel like mothers first and then something else? Or do mothers still feel like they are not quite something else? Traditionally, mothers have not only played the role of domestic goddess and liaison to schools, but have been involved in civic and community projects (usually without recognition of being the ones who do the volunteer work, beyond donating and sitting on boards). Good schools and workplaces, as well as healthcare and nutritional, clean food must be more available and accessible for all.  Schools and workplaces must transform (not merely evolve to accommodate those with the most choices) to support the entirety of our lives. We must move beyond the 19th century industrialization model to a more fluid model of work and school, so that our mother culture supports and enhances mothers’ nature (and mother nature).

So Happy Mothers’ Day! Give your mother the love she needs! And check out Moms Rising.org. I’m going to make a gift right now! Join me in making a happy mothers’ day today and tomorrow.

http://www.momsrising.org/