Surrounded by Powerful Women: My Mother Blessing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every day not only are babies born, but mothers are too.  A mother blessing is a way of honoring the transition of a woman from maidenhood to motherhood.   I wrote the essay “Mother-Centered Baby Showers” for the book even though I had never had my own.  I have participated in quite a few mother blessings (also known as blessingways or mother-centered showers) for other women and I truly enjoyed doing that but it was different to have it be for me this time.  It really was what I needed as I near the birth of this little one.  I wish every woman could be surrounded in like manner.

 

“A blessingway is a special ceremony designed to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate a woman’s journey into motherhood.  Different from a baby shower, a blessingway’s main goal is to provide a loving place where an expectant mother can explore the challenges and joys that lie before her as she approaches childbirth and motherhood.  Surrounded by the most important women in her life, she will gain a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her before, during and after the birth of her child”  (Mother Rising, 4).

 

It meant a lot that my sister and mother made the trip here (2.5 hour drive). Our actual gathering was small and intimate which  was nice.  Many of the people I invited do not live near me so I got to read their words and feel them in spirit that evening.  And my husband is not pictured here but he joined our circle.  Mother Blessings often include only women but it only made sense that he be there in that he is usually my primary support during labor and he is my best friend and eternal companion.

 

 

 

I chose to have the mother blessing at my home.

 

 

My sister put fixed my hair and put flowers in it.  We both agreed it looked like wedding hair.

 

 

 

A mother blessing just would not be complete without some good food.

My sister gave me a nice foot rub during the gathering with my favorite essential oil, grapefruit.  I began with introducing each guest telling them why I invited them and why I admire them.  We also each introduced ourselves sharing our female line of ancestors as far back as we could recite.  This is my female line, “I am Robyn Marie Oborn Allgood.  I was born of Anne Marie Burton Oborn who was born of Eleene Sina Rogers (Burton) Gruwell.  She was born of Myrtle Jenks who was born of Esther Jane Bell.  She was born of Esther Jane Booth.  She was born of Elizabeth Davis who was born of Ann Pope.”  I feel much more connected to these women as I recite their names and recognize that without them I would not be here. Then everyone shared their blessing wishes with me.

We also read quite a few from people who could not be there in person.  I love the thought that was put into them.  I think my favorite is the wood charm.  My friend, Janice, had it made from the apple tree in her backyard that is blossoming.  After I had already put the bracelet together I realized I was missing some beads. I added a tree for Kyle (my son who passed away 6 years ago), a purple gem for the new baby, and a few people who were unable to come and plan to still get their blessing to me.  I made a list with a short explanation of their bead so I wouldn’t forget.

 

NAME	BEAD	BLESSING
Rachelle	Clear with blue	Surrounded by angels
Cheryl	Gold ring	Keep marriage strong
Karen	Liahona	Alma 37:37 “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings.”
Anne	Silver/blue earing	Priesthood power shared by covenant men and women
Sarah	Light green small square diamond	Symbol of life, olive tree
Melinda	Small purple	Small and simple things lead to great things
Jeff	Green with gold	Symbolizing life and royalty, daughter is a queen a priestess
Maryn	Small red	Joy
Kyle	Silver tree	Isaiah 61:1-3 trees of rightousness
Megan	aqua	Have the baby on time
David	Green round	Mom to be happy
Olivia	White heart with black dots	Be happy
New baby girl	Purple gem	Divinity and royalty of this daughter, my children are “jewels in my crown”
Felice	Striped bead	Long time sun, calm heart
Lani	blue	May it be beautiful wherever you turn
Meleah	Light green oval	Connection and peace of Heavenly Father and Savior, Clarity of mind, call upon my Older Brother
Sheridan	Clear bead, silver baby charm	Joyful easy birth, fast recovery and peaceful postpartum, healthy and happy baby, quick adjustment
Heather	Red bead	Satan is attacking Mothers who are Saviors on Mt. Zion, Have faith in your body, heaven and birth
Meieli	Yellow sun/circle	Umbrella of shelter and protection
Whitney	(2) red heart, green circle	Push on!
Heidi	Round gold fleck	Virtue, Proverbs 31
Brandi	Sparkly turquiose	Focus on the beautiful and wondrous
Mandy	Pearl with lace	Joy in the process
Janice	Wood from her apple tree	New life bearing fruit, gift of wisdom and inspiration

 

I love reflecting on their words.  Each blessing was something I really needed to hear.  We couldn’t stop laughing with the quote my sister-in-law, Cheryl shared about strengthening your marriage,

“See that the little, trifling misunderstandings in domestic concerns do not poison your happiness.  Wives, be faithful to your husbands.  I know you have to put up with many unpleasant things, and your husbands have to put up with some things as well.  Doubtless you are sometimes tried by your husbands, on account perhaps of the ignorance of your husbands, or perchance at times because of your own ignorance . . . I do not say but that your husbands are bad–just as bad as you are, and probably some of them are worse; but, never mind: try to endure the unpleasantnesses which arise at times, and when you meet each other in the next life you will feel glad that you put up with those things.”  (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church:  Lorenzo Snow, Ch. 9, p. 131) 

I showed everyone the belly cast that my husband helped me with when I was 36 weeks pregnant.  I had not yet painted it.  I did finally paint it when I passed 38 weeks.  My Gift of Giving Life sisters also sent me this plant.  I have enjoyed watching it unfold and emerge.  I guess that is symbolic of the birthing mother and baby who unfold and emerge.  I did tell my guests that they did not need to bring a gift, I just wanted their words of encouragement but you could easily incorporate gifts into this setting.

 

 

 I hope this gave you a better idea of what a mother blessing is.  I would love it if you would comment below about one you have been a part of or please share a link below if you have blogged about your blessingway.