Amid the hugs and hoopla of Mother’s Day, let’s take time to think of the many women for whom this uneven holiday means enduring, not celebrating. Women who have never been able to conceive. Women who have lost a child, either through death or estrangement. And women in their so-called “mature” years who still yearn for the missing parent.

Even without these specific losses many of us are depressed by the constant threat of Covid, or are fearful because a job has ended,  or are mourning a marriage that’s crumbling. Women who live alone in the shadows of age, with only memories for company.

I’d like to suggest that each of us reach out to someone we know who could use a sympathetic voice this Sunday, and visit or call.  We don’t need to send flowers or bring candy,  just the sweeter gifts of empathy and genuine listening.

I, for one, plan to call a friend who has been trying to get pregnant for years, but recently was informed by doctors that she will never be able to have a child .I can’t make up for her heartbreak, but perhaps my caring will help a little.

As I repeatedly discover, in giving to others we give to ourselves, too.

WEBSITE: www.annehosansky.com
BOOKS: COME AND GO – available through BookBaby.com; WIDOW’S WALK –iUniverse.com; TURNING TOWARD TOMORROW –Xlibris.com, TEN WOMEN OF VALOR and ROLE PLAY- available through CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com; also Amazon Kindle.