The journey of motherhood

The relationship between sisters is truly a dynamic one. There’s a quote by Marion C. Garretty that I’ve always loved because I feel it so perfectly captures the relationship of adult sisters. “A sister is a piece of childhood that can never be lost.”

If you have a sister, you know there is nobody who can have your back, make you laugh, or make you angrier than her. There is nobody on the planet who understands where you came from and why you are the way you are more than your sister. There is nobody who remembers your childhood quite like her. If you have a sister, you know you can literally have a blowout argument followed by a cookout in the same week.

My mom and sister working in her garden as a little girl. (Photo provided by Megan Rathz)

May is upon us. It is a month that we celebrate being a mother. Whether it be yourself, your own mother, wife, stepmother, sister, aunt, grandmother, or whomever, we associate motherhood with the month of May. It is the month that we celebrate Our Lady and Mother of Jesus, Mary. How fitting that this particular month where we celebrate being a mother happens to be the same month as my sister’s birthday.

My sister is on a journey to becoming a mother through adoption. I can honestly say I never thought I’d love a kid I have never met or that wasn’t mine like I do this child. I do not know who they are, what their gender is, or what they’ll look like, but I feel this deep sense of love for this child.

I long for my sister to feel the squishy and chubby fingers of her baby wrapped around hers. I can’t wait for her to enjoy a cup of morning coffee in bed and Facetime me while her little one is cuddled up at her side. I am so excited for her to experience the magic of a Christmas morning with a little one. I picture her reading a book to the baby after an evening bath, rocking the baby in her arms. I cannot wait until my sister knows what it feels like for her baby to look at her and smile for the first time.

My sister rollerblading around five years old. (Photo provided by Megan Rathz)

I cannot wait for my sister to let her little one help stir the brownies and lick the batter from the spoon. I know the sound of excited feet pitter pattering down the hall, and I cannot wait for that sound to echo in the halls of her home.

I cannot wait for her to hear her baby tell her that they love her, and for her to hear this little one call her “mama.”

I cannot wait to meet this child that God has chosen by His hand for my sister and her husband. I long for the day when her heartache of not having a child is replaced with utter clarity. The moment this baby is placed in her arms, I know she will realize why she was put on this Earth, and the reason for their pain and struggles.

I fervently pray for her journey to motherhood. After all, that is exactly what motherhood is: a journey.

Motherhood isn’t easy. In fact, there are days that are really hard. I pray for those who long to be a mother or are mourning the loss of their own mother this month. I pray for the mother who is an empty-nester and struggling to find her place. I pray for those who have experienced loss in their motherhood. I pray for the mother of a sick child.

I pray for any mother who is not in the place they wish to be with their child right now. I pray for any mother who is sick right now and putting on a brave face for her family. I pray for the single mothers who are struggling, but still manage to show up every single day for their children. I pray for any mother who is doing the best she can right now.

I pray for the mothers of adult children who are navigating their roles. I pray for the grandmothers who show up every single day for their children and grandchildren; the ones who realize what a true gift they’ve been given.

I pray for the mothers who choose the selfless act of adoption, putting their own pain and feelings aside to give the gift of a wonderful life to their unborn child. I pray for any woman struggling with a difficult decision in her pregnancy right now, and rather than being met with judgment, I hope she is embraced with love and understanding. I pray for any woman who has made a decision that she regrets.

My sister and I on one of our many Disney trips with her favorite princess, Belle. (Photo provided by Megan Rathz)

I pray that Mother Mary intercedes in all our lives and provides us grace, peace, and comfort.

This child is fortunate enough to have two aunts who will love this baby like crazy. My brother-in-law’s sister, who also happens to be named Megan, will be just as excited as me to spoil this baby. I can’t wait for the days when she and I share the special role of being an aunt. I know she will make sure this baby hears about her own mother in Heaven frequently, just as I will speak of my dad in the same fashion. This baby will grow up hearing both of their names.

Emily, I know the desire in your heart to be a mother and I cannot wait to watch this journey unfold for you. You are meant to be a mother.

No matter what, you will always be my baby sister. I love you and happy birthday.

Megan Rathz is a wife, mother, and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.