Tuesday 13 May 2014

My Belated Happy Mother's Day


    No, I have not fallen off the edge of the world.  I have been here the whole time, it's just that life has somehow gotten away from me.  I would love to be able to tell you that I was doing heroic deeds and saving the world, but no.  Have you ever had those times where time just seems to vaporize?  I have the same number of hours in the day, and yet it still doesn't seem like enough.  Here I am, and I am going to try to make a better effort.
    I know that I am late on this one, but Happy Mother's Day.  I have heard it complained that why should there just be one day to celebrate the love you have for your mother?  Shouldn't you appreciate and show that appreciation every day?  The answer is yes, but heck I'll take whatever scraps fall my way.  Motherhood is in many ways a thankless job.  I have had my children vomit in my hair, and in my mouth (not awesome) on more than one occasion, unfortunately.  I have stayed awake all night holding a bucket for them to vomit in, and made numerous trips to the fridge for ginger ale.   At no point did any of them ever say, "Oh sorry about vomiting in your mouth Mom. You really went above and beyond for me... thanks."  To be honest who among us ever thanked our Moms for the hours of sleeplessness they have given to us, or us to them?  When they are tiny they wake us, or in my case, I used to wake to make sure that they were still breathing.  My babies never suffered from any infantile illness that should have caused me to worry, but worry I did.  I would worry if they slept too long, or not enough, I worried (still do).  Worry is the sign of love.  I want the best for my kids.  I want them to grow up well adjusted and at peace with who they are.
     I can give you the corny but true statement that just having my children in my life is gift enough.  I have said this before, but I truly love being a mother.  It is the most important career I have ever had.  Motherhood is not easy, but it is rewarding.  I watch my children playing and on the rare occasions that they are not fighting, but playing nicely together I get this stupid little smile on my face.  I am proud of who they are and who they are becoming.  It is beautiful to watch them grow, beautiful and yet I feel sad because I know that they are slowly letting go of my hand that they once held tightly.  They are growing up and becoming independent.
    Mother's Day is that one day of the year when you get the lip service.  At my house Mother's Day is also about the kids.  Their little faces light up with self pride as they hand me their construction paper cards and home made gifts.  They love to give me breakfast in bed.  This year they were exceptionally proud of themselves because they made me a cup of coffee with the Keurig.  At my house, Mothers Day is not just about "me".
    Although Motherhood is often a thankless job, it's also a club that I feel very privileged to be a member of.  When it all comes right down to it, and we are sitting with our coffee cups complaining about our ungrateful children, why should they be grateful?  At no point did any of my children ask to be born.  None of them have ever asked me to be selfless on their behalf.  I want the very best for them, I make the decision to spoil them.  They are who they are because of the decisions "I" have made.  Every one of my children were very much wanted and adored by everyone in their life.  Motherhood is not a blessing that I take for granted... I know that it is a sacred gift.  It is a gift that I chose not once, but four times (for those of you counting fingers I have five kids, but the twins count as one because they came from one pregnancy).   There are many heavy hearted women with empty arms who would give their very soul to be a part of the motherhood.  
  To those of you who share my philosophy on motherhood I say thank you.  If you love your children as much as I love mine, this world will be a better place.  Those happy, well adjusted children will one day become our doctors, lawyers, political leaders, in other words our future.  If we do our job right, we will help to create a beautiful future.  I'm alright with having thankless children, when they thank me with their deeds and the way they act in their world.

1 comment:

  1. You are right...Motherhood is a definite gift and the most difficult gift to unwrap.

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