This past Sunday was Mother’s Day in North America, and it is a particularly fraught one this year, given the struggle for reproductive rights going on in our neighbour to the south. It really made me think about what it means to be a person with a uterus, a person who potentially has the magical ability to bring new humans into the world.

The metaphysical text A Course in Miracles says that there are two main human reactions to anything – love and fear. Mother’s Day is mostly based on love, although that love can be painful. My own mother passed away in 2003, and I miss being able to connect with her. Many people have complicated relationships with their mothers, and Mother’s Day can be a painful reminder of that. There are people whose mothering is not recognised, and that can be painful too. There are people who would love to be mothers, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t happen. I’m sending love to all those people.

I am very grateful that the three people I had the honour and privilege of bringing into the world are closely connected with me. I’ve worked hard for it, and I don’t take it for granted. There are also young people in the world who are not biologically linked to me, and I love and support them like my own children. I am grateful to be able to do that.

The legislative frenzy happening in the US at the moment reminded me that those of us with that reproductive ability have been feared, and therefore repressed and controlled, since the dawn of humanity. Fear is a very powerful force, and has been the source of great cruelty over human history.

As women and other people with uteruses, we have often been identified with our reproductive systems and told that that is our only value and function. In the US, apparently, women are now livestock, as they are to be considered a source of a “domestic supply of infants”. So fascinating, to say the least. While I trust that this madness will not spill over our border, given what happened in Ottawa a few months ago, we must remain vigilant and not assume it can’t happen here. I do have hope, though, because many of the young people that I know seem to be more evolved and conscious than we silver warriors were at their age.

So if you celebrated Mother’s Day, I hope you had a good one. If you find it a painful day for any reason at all, consider yourself hugged. Remember that in the end, it is all about love, and that’s what matters. Stay focused and don’t give up the fight. Love will win, eventually.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this!