Tag: Motherhood

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Review: Giving Thanks and Letting Go

I’ve loved Danielle Bean’s work for many years, heavy on the many. She is, in person, exactly as she appears in print: a little sassy, a little sweet, super cheerful and lively, and fiercely loving.

Fierce became a trendy adjective to describe women some years ago. In that context, rather than hostile or aggressive, we’ve come to understand fierce women as women who know who they are, and wield that knowledge to uplift those around them. Adding a Catholic spin to that, it means knowing whose you are, and how that knowledge not only helps you live a life of holiness, but helps you lead others to holiness.

By that definition, Danielle is a fierce mother!

Her latest book, Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood, reveals, in a series of reflections on the different seasons of motherhood, how a mother’s love changes and grows. Her vignettes, little peeks into her marriage and children, illustrate the sacrificial nature and immeasurable joys of mother. I found myself laughing out loud at her husband causing a scene in a delivery room (I know about this first-hand myself) and feeling the chest-crushing fear of illness as she recounts her son’s diagnosis with CF.

The anecdotes in this lovely collection celebrate motherhood in its depth and breadth. Danielle’s gift to us is her honesty — there’s no glossing over the hard parts like messy houses or feeling overwhelmed. But it also breaks open the beauty of motherhood. How we love unconditionally. How we’re sometimes insecure. How we love, and worry, and hope. It’s real, and it’s honest, but most of all it’s beautiful.

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what is this feminine genius thing, anyway?

I often tease my friend Pat Gohn that I’m an Among Women fangirl. Maybe it’s Pat’s voice, so rich and engaging. Maybe it’s her ability to break down complex theological concepts into a conversation we could have over a cup of coffee (or two…or three!). Maybe it’s just the gentle way she has with her guests as well as the subject matter. You see, she takes these tough topics, like today, on the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and talks about them in a straightforward way that doesn’t mince words or pull any punches, but still comes across with love and respect.

Do read what she says about women, our gift of maternity, our need for dignity, and our source of healing.

Here’s a snippet from her article at the Washington Post. You know you want more…

The gift of maternity is inherent in all women. They are predisposed to motherhood by their design. Yet, as we know, not all women bear children. Even if a woman never gives birth, a woman’s life is still inclined toward mothering. All women are entrusted with the call to care for the people within their sphere of influence. This broadens our ideas of maternity beyond gestation and lactation.

A woman’s relationships with others, even though they may not be fruitful biologically, can be fruitful spiritually. Therefore a woman’s life–her feminine genius–is characterized by physical and/or spiritual motherhood.

Read the whole article here. Tell your friends to read it, too. And then tell her that she rocks. It’s tough telling the truth in today’s world.

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