Mother's Day

This weekend here in the United States we are getting ready to celebrate our mothers. I remember once when my dad was working for the phone company he told me that one of the busiest day for phone calls all year was Mother's Day.

Our mothers hold a special place in our hearts and memories. What do you think of or remember when you think of your mom? I remember notes in my school lunches signed with her distinctive heart signature. I remember her letting me talk through my options and listening to her words of wisdom as I considered where to go to college or get a job or one of those other "big" decisions of life. I remember when the tears would come she would let me have a good cry and then tell me to go wash my face and brush my teeth and go to bed because everything looks better in the morning. The first time I shared those same words of wisdom with a patient, I am pretty sure I could hear the echo of my mom's voice.  

This Mother's Day as we celebrate and remember those moments I want us to also remember that this day and every day there is a tragedy happening to mothers around the world. This Mother's Day, 1,000 mothers will die. They will die not from old age or cancer but because of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. 90% of these complications are preventable. The line at the end of this video says it all... "because out there, there is a mother that needs you, right now." So get more information and get involved. Organizations like Every Mother Counts and White Ribbon Alliance are a good place to start.

  (For those reading this in your email or via RSS you might need to click on the link to the blog to be able to watch the video)