“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” Cardinal Mermillod

Mom Beautiful

A mom can be many things.  She can have one child or many.  She can be married or alone.  She can have carried the baby in her womb or have extended her love to a child through adoption or foster parenting.  She could be a sister who raises a sibling’s child.  Or a step-parent who takes on the role of step-mom with love and compassion.  Regardless of the nature of the family or the many diverse personalities and styles, mom is often the foundation.  Mom is the voice, and possibly scent, a newborn recognizes.  Mom is the one all the athletes thank as they look into the camera.  Mom is the one who does her best to teach, love, and raise us right.  Moms are who we cry to, who we complain to, who we try to be, who we try not to be, and who we so deeply love.

Happy Mother’s Day!!

The Greeks had Rhea, mother of all Gods.  The Romans honored Cybele as their mother Goddess.  The Egyptians had Isis.  In the United States, Mother’s Day was suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872.  In 1907, Anna Jarvis pushed for a national holiday.  Acceptance of this holiday began in churches where Jarvis visited and handed out carnations(flowers still being popular on Mother’s Day).  By 1911, it was celebrated in most states.  President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the national holiday in 1914.  Many countries throughout the world have their own holiday celebrating moms.  Yet the true spirit of motherhood is not a holiday.  Dirty socks litter the floor long before and long after the second Sunday in May.  Little voices call out “Momma!” all year round. 

The Joy of Being a Mom

We all know that being a mom can be frustrating and thankless.  Why else would so many of us stoop to yelling out mom-isms that we swore would never leave our lips?  Yet on mother’s day, and every day, let us remember the absolute joy and privilege that it is to be a mother.  Yes, they are a challenge.  They test our patience with a determination that could change the world if they used it for good instead of homework avoidance. Most of us had these lovely visions of all the wonderful things we would teach them only to see them inheriting some of our worst traits.  They are little mirrors reflecting the truth of our lives.  Truth we had worked long and hard to avoid or put a spin on.  They are a wake up call to make us realize how frustrating we must have been (Sorry Mom).  They are born new and innocent and absolutely dependent.  They are at times clueless in the world.  They are not born to make our lives better, happier, more beautiful.  Yet they do.  In a way that is so completely imperfect.  By the sheer joy of getting to watch their journey unfold, they alter our lives and perceptions.  To be a mom is an honor, a pleasure, a gift.  To hold the responsibility for this little life within our hands is humbling and intimidating.  The breathtaking pleasure of seeing the world anew with an infant and toddler transforms into the amazing experience of seeing your child grow and mature becoming a unique individual with influence in this world.  How will life change them?  How will they affect those around them?  Will they pursue their dreams with boldness?  Will they seek answers or believe they have them?  Will they overcome life’s obstacles or stumble over them?  To be so close to another life as to travel along with them on their journey, this is the wonder of parenting.  To love this being so deeply and completely that senses and emotions unknown before come alive, this is the joy.  This is the gift.  

So on this Mother’s Day,  be good to your mom because even as she yelled, “I’ve had it up to here with you,” she loved you.  Even as she got it all wrong, she meant to do it right.  And when she got it right, be grateful because it isn’t easy.  And moms, be good to your kids because even as they yell “I hate you,” they love you.  And when they get it all wrong, they mean to do it right.  And when they get it right, be thankful because it isn’t easy.