Saturday, May 7, 2011

MOTHER'S DAY AT THE SHELTER

MOTHER'S DAY AT THE SHELTER
I haven't been to the shelter on Mother's Day. If it's like any other holiday or special day there, it will be celebrated in its own way. The kids will get help with making or buying cards for their moms and give her a gift if they can.

For women spending the day at the shelter, whether they have children or not, it can be bittersweet day. They are away from their home. Often, they don't dare visit their moms for fear the abuser will show up. The kids may miss their grandmoms, aunts, and married sisters.

The luckier ones may have a safe place to visit loved ones. For many, though, the "bitter" of bittersweet is the loss of family ties on an important family day.

The "sweet" is safety, a greatly appreciated sweet, once it's accepted as completely necessary.

Wherever and however you spend your Mother's Day, think of those who don't have the same freedoms you have. It sure would be great if next year these women and others in their situation could spend Mother's Day exactly as they wish.

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