What makes a Mother?

What makes a mother? Although physically the very first thing
you need would be a womb, you can be a mother without one
by adoption or any other method such as marrying someone
who has children, etc. It is the LOVE that makes you a mother,
a MOM.

Every human on this planet Earth has been borne through a
womb whether it was theirs or someone else’s. Do we honor
the organ that allows humanity to survive and propagate?

In all honesty, I think we take it for granted. There is much
more interest in preventing pregnancy because it seems to
occur so quickly or so effortlessly for most women or at
least teenagers.

When it was suggested that I have a hysterectomy, I would
allow it only if they returned my children’s first home to me.
I had no idea that my request was unusual, my whole focus
was in honoring the organ that allowed me to fulfill my life’s
mission of being a mother.

In fact, it was Mother Mary who guided me to write my
book, The Wounded Chalice. She gave me the title and
told me the cover was to be a picture of the chalice that
she would lead me to find.

The Chalice holds the Blood of Life just as the womb does.
Thus the title was quite appropriate for the stories of my life
which explains how I conquered all the challenges that
showed up to further my belief in a Higher Power, God and
also angels.

I would like to share with all of you, a poem? of the truth about
MOTHERS

Real Mothers don’t eat quiche; they don’t have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn’t come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don’t want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask ‘Why me?’ and get their answer when a little voice says,
‘Because I love you best.’
Real Mothers know that a child’s growth is not measured by height or years or grade…It is
marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother…

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE – My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE – My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE – My Mother doesn’t really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE – Naturally, Mother doesn’t know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE – Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE – That old woman? She’s way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE – Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE – Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE – Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE – Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day, share the Love of the Mother with each other.

Love and Light,

Mary Grace

http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com/blog
[email protected]

Monstrance of the Mother

Do you know what a Monstrance is? It is a repository for
the Holy Eucharist. There are many designs but most are of
gold with a lot of glitter and starburst designs.

I went to the yearly Catholic Women’s Conference last
Saturday expecting to find humor, comraderie and
teachings which I did. I met some women whom I
already knew and made many new friends.

One of the women I met that day was my exhusband’s
exwife, that is quite the mouthful. We certainly have
much in common but we did not speak of it. That is
the past and we are both in the present and looking
forward to the future.

I met a former coworker whom I had not seen in years.
We had both worked for the Postal Service but in
separate buildings. She is retired now and when she
found out I wrote a book, The Wounded Chalice,
she insisted on purchasing it. That is the ultimate
compliment for an author.

Knowing that I could not partake of the lunch they
were offering, I have Celiac Disease so need to be
gluten-free, I had brought my own food. They all
had wonderful looking lunch boxes of sandwiches
with fruit and desert. I brought my staple, chicken
chunks with walnuts and cranberries which I love.

I finally got around to going into the chapel where
the Holy Eucharist was exposed for our benefit.
I went into this small room and went down the center
aisle. I had to forcibly prevent myself from swooning
into a Resting in the Spirit right there on the floor.

I was literally blown away by the energy emitting
from this Monstrance. As I said before, most
Monstrances were in a starburst circular pattern
and most ornate in their presentation.

It is 3 feet high, individually created of layered
wood with hand-carved features and carefully
painted shadows to reflect Mary’s humility.

Her hands gently encompass a luna where Jesus
is the focus of adoration. A small light shines
through the luna creating a soft illumination of the
Sacred Host. It is securely suspended over
Mary’s heart and is called Mother of the Holy
Eucharist.

I believe the reason I was blown away is because
of its simplicity. Words cannot do it justice and here
I am trying to pass on to you what I experienced.

In hindsight, had I known She was there, I would have
spent a lot more of my day there in the chapel.

It never entered my mind that Mary would be honored
in this way and yet, She was the first Monstrance.
Her womb held Jesus first but I never saw the womb from
this perspective. Mary’s body was the first Tabernacle!

Mary asked me to write my book, The Wounded Chalice,
specifically to help women understand the value of their womb
and the mission it is accomplishing. Without this organ, there
would be no future human race.

My book is also about the many ways I gave my power away
and the different ways I took my power back. When I had a
hysterectomy, I demanded that it be returned to me so I could
honor my children’s first home.

I had wanted to include a picture of this beautiful holder
of the Mother’s most precious gift to the world but so far
could not find it anywhere. I spent two hours searching the
web but no luck. I finally called the designer so I could
get more info to share with you.

The designer will be returning my call but as I did not
want to delay the delivery of this newsletter, I decided
not to wait but I will share the news as I get it.

Last Saturday was quite the day for reflection and
exposure to our powerful feminine models. After the
conference, I was invited to an evening with Swami
Nirmalananda (Rama, Founder of Svaroopa Yoga).
I have been going to Svaroopa Yoga for around
8 years but had never had the opportunity to meet her.

It was a full day and very pregnant with experiences.
Do you have any you would like to share?

If you want to find out more about my book and my
life experiences, go to my website, blog or email me:

http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com/blog
[email protected]

Earth Day Revisited

I was so engaged in Earth Day activities that time just
got away from me and the full schedule weekend was
upon me.I apologize for the delay of my weekly
newsletter but I still wanted to share the excitement
and appreciation for all of us here on Mother Earth
and all She does for us.

I received some beautiful emails emphasizing
the beauty of our Earthly Mother. I wish to
share them with you.

A message from Mother Earth herself
through her willing emissary, Pepper Lewis.

The Peaceful Planet > Gaia Special Earth Day Message

and video:

Pepper Lewis/Gaia Earth Day 2009 Message

Beautiful pictures:

http://www.iamyourmother.com/

On another note, I had my stitches removed this week,
and only strips of tape put back on which will fall
off automatically when they are ready. It is such a
pleasure to see my nose again and also to have my
glasses sit the way they were designed to.

We, in the Northeast, are experiencing such
marvelous weather. It has hit the 90 degree mark
and it is only April. It is just a taste of summer and
quite a tease but I will accept it as it is fantastic
to take the coat off and put on shorts.

I hope this note finds you in good spirits and I will
be prompt with this week’s newsletter.

Love and Light

Mary Grace
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com/blog
[email protected]

3 Brows Beach Dr
PO Box 403
Wales, MA 01081, USA