Mother's Day is on the horizon. We think of mother in terms
of caring and loving. Inspiration and role model. Commander and chief.
Doctor, arbiter, bouncer, counselor, teacher and more. Each year I write
about all the mothers in my life. This year is different.
One
thing that comes to mind this time of the year is just what kind of
mother have I been? I do not want flowers and accolades just because I
birthed a couple of children. As a mom, I know that I did my best, but
it was not always enough. As my children grew, I grew up as well. I
remember those days when I was lost with that first baby. I had rarely
babysat and had no idea what to do with this wiggly thing. I was
depressed, having just moved away from my roots. Flying by the seat of
my pantaloons, I did the best I could. I was learning what it was to be a
mother.
There are no perfect mothers. We all
have flaws. Many children have truly wicked mothers. I cannot forget
those children. My mother and I had our differences. As wonderful as she
truly was, we struggled in our relationship. There are no perfect
mothers.
How times have changed. Some families
have two mothers. Some have a father who carries both roles. Mothers
come in all shapes and sizes. All of these mothers know what it is to
worry, wonder and wait. We are all in the same boat when it comes to not
knowing if we are doing it right. We are the teachers of love,
friendship, truth and trust. We teach our children by example and pray
our example is good enough.
Every stage of
motherhood is different. We raise our children, nurture our children,
support our children and then watch them go. Not a day goes by that we
do not think of those children. When they bless us with their children,
we learn even more about love.
Really, for me this Mother's Day
thing is overrated. I consider every day that I have been blessed with
my two children and those of theirs to be my Mother's Days. I am not big
on these days of recognition. I should not be honored for what I chose
in my life. I receive my blessings every day and am not a pedestal mom. I
do not want to be honored. Being a mom is honor enough.
Mother is indeed a beautiful word. So blessed that I am one.
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