At the moment my wrinkled, olive-eyed, mostly-screaming-but-beautiful son said hello to the world eleven years ago, my first thought was:
Wow. Moms are amazing.
I had just endured a very difficult childbirth, and I was pretty proud of myself. My thoughts turned to my own mother, my grandmother, and my aunts, for whom I had a newfound respect and special kinship.
But I also felt part of a larger collective – the entire world community of mothers – who had walked this same path, who had embarked on a journey that everybody seems to know something about, but that nobody can fully prepare you for until you’re right in the thick of it.
That was eleven years ago. And what those years have taught me is that the amazing moment of childbirth? Well, it’s only the beginning of a lifetime of moments where moms are called on to be amazing, and rise to the challenge each and every time.
Some of those moments are big. Moms advocate for their children with special needs. They parent while battling cancer or a chronic illness of their own. They juggle the incredibly difficult job of single parenting and work.
Some moments are small, yet just as powerful: the kiss of a boo-boo, the hand held on the first day of kindergarten, the words “it’s okay, I understand.”
The world changes every time a woman gives birth – and a mom changes the world every time she takes action – big or small – to ensure her child’s life is happy and healthy.
But being a part of the world of mothers also brings with it responsibility to support other moms who come after us. It’s our chance to take our wisdom, experience, and talents and help make that journey a little easier for other moms.
And that’s what the Global Moms Relay is all about.
From now until May 11, in honor of Mothers’ Day, celebrities, moms and community leaders from around the world will share their personal stories of how a mom has changed their world. Each time you share or comment on one of these posts, Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 (per action) to help improve the health and wellbeing of moms and kids worldwide through MAMA, Shot@Life, and Girl Up. The United Nations Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Baby Center and The Huffington Post created the Global Moms Relay, a global conversation among mothers and their friends to build a better, healthier world.
If you’re a mom – or know one – join us, and help other mothers and children around the globe be amazing, too.
Gigi Ross is the Manager of Corporate Social Channels for Johnson & Johnson. She is also a wife and the mom of two tweens (one boy and one girl). Gigi lives with her family in sunny San Diego, CA.