watercress words by Dr Aletha

Mother’s Day

We designate the second Sunday in May to honor mothers in the United States.

Many, if not most, nations reserve a day to honor mothers. People everywhere recognize women’s value, not only biological mothers.

MOTHER’S DAY -the movie

Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, and Jason Sudeikis lead an incredible cast in a film that intersects the lives of a group of people maneuvering their way through a crazy week of difficult relationships and family dysfunction in the week leading up to Mother’s Day.

It’s a comedy that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer! (This is an affiliate income-generating link)

Mother’s Day-a sad reality

But life isn’t a sitcom; sometimes family dysfunction, unexpected tragedies, and unfilled dreams can make this and other holidays difficult.

While many will buy flowers and cards for mothers and attend family brunches honoring motherhood, many will also spend Mother’s Day in grief and envy.

Many will spend the day mourning the absence of a loved and longed-for child. On a day dedicated to motherhood and maternal bonds, many will spend the day grieving over what they don’t have or never got to experience.

Elizabeth A Grill, Psy.D,

Dr. Grill offers advice on how to cope at this link.

Joannie DeBrito, Ph.D., offers this approach for women when Mother’s Day hurts.

If this Mother’s Day brings you hurt rather than joy, I encourage you to be honest with trusted family members and friends. Let them know you’re struggling and be willing to ask for help.

You’ll probably find that your honesty will encourage others in your life to open up and share their hurts with you. 

Joannie DeBrito, Ph.D.

If you struggle with depression, anxiety, or other issues that limit your enjoyment of life for any reason, consider seeking professional help. Start by talking to your physician, who may refer you to a mental health professional. You may also want to consider an online source for help available through Brightside.

)This is an affiliate link provided for your convenience. )

Women’s Health Month

The NCCC designates May as National Women’s Health Month.

Every year in May we shine an especially bright spotlight on the unique health needs of girls and women.

New policies and programs make quality healthcare accessible for millions and we want to make sure you take advantage of all that’s available.

You deserve to be well cared for in mind and body!

National Cervical Cancer Coalition -NCCC

National Women’s Health Week

Every May beginning on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) leads National Women’s Health Week (NWHW).

This observance aims to highlight women’s health issues and priorities and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Women’s Health Initiative

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) is a long-term national health study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, or NHLBI. (An agency of the National Institutes of Health, NIH.)

The original WHI study began in the early 1990s and concluded in 2005. The study continued as Extension Studies in 2005 and 2010. The program was groundbreaking because it focused on women’s health when most medical studies focused on men.

The main research areas are cardiovascular disease, cancers, and osteoporotic fractures. Studies also focus on strategies to prevent the major causes of death, disability, and frailty in older women.

On April 22, 2025, multiple news media reported that the current administration was “gutting” funding for the WHI, shocking the medical research community.

However, barely two days later, the decision was reversed. According to CNN, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “we are not terminating this study.”

Preeclampsia Awareness Month

Thousands of women and babies get very sick each year from a dangerous condition called preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the post-delivery period.

Preeclampsia and related disorders such as gestational hypertension, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia are most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and even death of the mother and/or baby.

Post Images

The featured image was created by the AI feature of WordPress.

The photo of suffragettes with a baby is from the Library of Congress Free to Use collection.

The PDF available for download is from the National Cancer Institute.

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The Berenstain Bears book series was one of my sons’ favorites. I still like them.