Once A Mother, Always A Mother

The Heart of the Unknown Mother (Unknown to us, but definitely known through spirit and soul to her child)
by C.P. Estés

Whether children landed on earth,
but had to leave too soon,
whether they were detoured
before they could be born,
whether they were wrenched away,
or lost for unexplained reasons,
whether they were here
for just a few moments,
or a few days...
they all are blessed children.
Full children of ours.

When people ask, "Are you a mother?'
you are entitled to say 'Yes,
I am a mother.'
'Oh, how many?' they might ask.
Tell them.
You are entitled to say
the full number of children,
including the ones
who were on their way
and never made it
for whichever reasons,
including those who came
but could not stay.

When people ask, 'Where are your children?
Do they live near by?
Say, 'Yes, they live very near by,
right here, in my heart.'