Rose Pavlov: Celebrating Maternal Warriors With Gratitude

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Rose Pavlov, GoLocalWorcester Child Expert

Living legend Maya Angelou shared the power of exercising an “attitude of gratitude” at her recent lecture at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA on May 9, 2012. She moved the audience by sharing her trials, tribulations and triumphs. The audience, largely comprised of women from every race, color, class and creed, gathered together to appreciate her life’s work.
Many women can relate to and draw common threads from her literary gems, especially this notable piece:

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams. 
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream. 
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing. 

The caged bird sings
 with a fearful trill 
of things unknown 
but longed for still
 and his tune is heard
on the distant hill 
for the caged bird 
sings of freedom.

The caged bird sings a prayer. We as women can appreciate the innumerable sacrifices made and the daily balancing act of fulfilling our multiple roles: mother, daughter, sister, lover…the list goes on.
Most uniquely, as women, we are fortunate to experience the journey of motherhood with all its heartfelt pleasures and pains.

I dedicate this column in celebration of Mother’s Day to my beloved mother, Leelu, and my children, Noah and Laiya, who are my inspiration, and to all the maternal warriors who survive and overcome each day with grace and courage. To the countless mothers who shield their children with an armor of unconditional love, commitment and care through life’s seasons. To the warriors whose tears gather on battlefields, courtroom floors, hospitals, shelters and cemeteries due to wrongful and painful separation from their children. To the women who carry earnest prayer for their children in silence and in song - I honor you. To the maternal warriors who are both divine and irreplaceable, and who do not tire of the crusade for their children.

To the maternal warriors with untold stories who have suffered scrutiny and persecution and whose cries for help have gone unheard. I honor you today and every day for your undying spirit to persevere and sing your song of prayer even while facing many personal and universal threats. To the mothers whose freedom is deeply intertwined with their children’s happiness.

I honor you all. Happy Mother’s Day!

Rose Pavlov is a cross-cultural positive child specialist and founder of Ivy Child International.  

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