Reverence and respect for the Mother
Thirty-four years ago.
It was a ridiculously hot February day. I found myself, at nine months pregnant, cleaning the ceiling of my kitchen.
Which sounds irrational. But only to those who have never birthed a child.
At 10.04 PM that night, my daughter Natalie was born.
From the beginning, she was present. Calm. Steady. Wise.
I think some part of me recognised, from her gaze in those first few hours, that she would be my teacher, and I might do well to heed her lessons.
There have been many.
She is the calm to my storm. The temperance to my rage and speed to fight. The mediator.
She demonstrates kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.
Her edge is in her expression, her art and her courage to explore.
I am a far better person for being her mother.
Those who know me know I am not a mothering type. If I see a small child or a dog, the dog will win my attention every time. But I do know how to mother, to be a good parent.
To allow a child to become what they desire to become. To tune to their needs.
Not only did Natalie teach me to be kinder, but she also gave me the field to learn the art of stewardship. Creating a context for a child, or an idea, to become fully itself.
It is an incredible reciprocal relationship, where the co-learning weaves together to create a higher order for all.
One of the intentions I held for our relationship was to ensure Natalie could come to me and speak about anything. Anything at all. Sex. Drugs. Rock and roll.
To have enough safety and support that there was nothing off the table. No shame. No ridicule.
Again, an incredible context for synergistic teams.
I look around the world, and I look at the images of our leaders, and my heart sinks again at the lack of female leaders.
Not all women know how to steward, how to be a good mother (and in my case, father, as a single parent), but women missing from leadership in these times are the reason we are where we are, on a precipice. I am fortunate to be surrounded by men who know how to parent and steward, who imbue their leadership with dignity and respect.
However, these men rarely make it to high leadership. The system itself rewards the patriarchs, dominators, oppressors and narcissists.
Our beautiful Mother Earth has been trying to mother with us. But we do not heed her knowledge, just as world leadership does not heed the knowledge and skill of women.
The harsh truth is that Mother Earth doesn’t need humans to thrive. But, no matter our impressive technology, we humans need her.
I wonder if we will ever take this power differential to heart and place reverence and respect for the Mother in its rightful place. Or do we extinct ourselves first?
Happy Birthday, Natalie. Your birth birthed me.
Photo February 16th 2025, Article written February 16th 2025.
