On Motherhood
- Words
- Marie Wez
- Photography
- Javier De La Blanca
For this year’s Mother’s Day we captured six different women from our community and listened to them sharing their personal experience on motherhood.
“It does not cease to amaze me what the female body can do—I literally wake up every morning thinking ‘wtf’, there’s a human being growing inside me, how is this possible?” —Kira
It is impossible to encapsulate something that is literally the foundation of life. Motherhood is something we all experience in one way or the other, something that holds us together, something that is traditionally defined by a biological bond but is so much more than that in reality.
Motherhood is without doubt one of the most challenging and life-changing experiences an individual can go through. The mothers, mother figures and caregivers in our lives guide, sacrifice and inspire, they nurture and care, laying the foundation for growth, exploration and self-discovery. What is so fascinating about motherhood is that it cannot be defined and narrowed down to just one thing. Motherhood can be growing and raising a child but it can also be a nurturing presence in our lives, providing us with guidance and support. The common link is that every motherly bond, whatever it may look like, is defined by a love that is so profound and unconditional that it conquers the most challenging times, moving forces on a personal and collective level.
“I am so blessed to be a mother because I know what 'unconditional love' really is. No man, no friend, no lover can match a mother’s love for her child; for me, it is complete and eternal.” —Linda
“Becoming a mother is the most empowering feeling I have ever experienced.” —Adli
If Mother’s Day is here to honour motherhood we have to honour not only our mothers but all mother figures and caregivers who are here every day, nurturing, guiding, sacrificing and inspiring their children and the people around them. It is an opportunity to mirror their forces and radiate the same love and support back at them.
It is an opportunity to feel all the stuff that may come up thinking about motherhood and accepting that it is okay. It is an opportunity to think about what motherhood means, how we value it and who is entitled to define it. And it is an opportunity to remember that celebrating motherhood is also celebrating and respecting women and their bodies equally.
“Life is not stagnant. With a child it’s just a different rhythm, like I can’t do night shifts anymore and work on my art. But instead of focusing on what you maybe don’t have anymore, I choose to focus on what’s better now.” —Lou
This Mother’s Day we would like to thank all the mothers and especially the mothers around us and captured here. It is impossible to encapsulate motherhood but it is not impossible to celebrate all its shapes, forms and meanings.
Happy Mother’s Day. We love you, you are heroes <3