Moms have a tough job. Raising children and managing the household are daunting tasks in and of themselves. In addition to this, many mothers hold jobs outside the home. They have the gift of nurturing, and while it is designed for the care of children, they often find themselves supporting their husbands, friends and neighbors as well.
Mothers not only help to give us life, they give their lives. In your house, who is often the last to eat? The last to bed? In the same vein, who is the first to wake up? To greet guests at the door? To answer the cry of a hurting child, or friend?
For what? A day? Mothers don't live for Mother's Day. The fact is, the are so busy with their families, it sneaks up on them as well. I understand not all moms are created equal. Some resemble Mother Teresa, others Roseanne Conner. Let's be honest, June Cleaver is a myth. Though mothers remain imperfect, for the most part, they are faithful to their calling. Sure there are exceptions, but mothers fill their role without the benefit of formal training or a uniform handbook.
Through fate or circumstances, several of these women do this incredible job alone. Who holds the hand that holds ours? Who calms her fears? Who bandages her wounds?
Maybe it seems cliché, to pour all this honor on mothers during this one sacred day in May.
- It starts with the poorly made gifts from art class or Sunday school. A misshaped vase, which leaks. An ashtray for a mom who doesn't smoke.
- Next comes the handmade cards with the paint still wet and so full of glue that they will not open.
- After a few years of handmade gifts, dollar store trinkets take the day. Potholders are to Mother's Day as neckties are to Father's Day.
And so it goes. The flowers, the post-church brunch at Golden Corral (What? Are you gonna make her cook?), the cards, the phone calls . . . the silence. Take for granted what time you have and make the most of the day.
Read the story of a mom who wanted to help other moms she didn't even know and e-mail me to learn more about a garage sale to benefit this charity on May 14th.
As I sit here this morning, contemplating Mother's Day once again, I realize how much I struggle with this day. I've always struggled with Mother's Day. When I was young, I was afraid of my mom. She was mean; no, not just a disciplinarian, mean. She was sick, had a bad heart, and it wasn't until I was a sophomore in high school that she had two valves replaced. After that, for the first time in her adult life, she felt good. After that, we became very close. After I became a mom, she apologized repeatedly for being a bad mom. Of course I've forgiven her.
ReplyDeleteThrough circumstances, I became a single mom when my kids were aged 3 and 8 mos. I resented Mother's Day then because it was a reminder that I never asked for my life to be like it was. Being a single mother is the most difficult job on the face of the earth if you do it right.
Now that I look back, I realize that being a single mom was an enormous blessing, although I didn't recognize it while I was living through it. I have a relationship with my children that I know I wouldn't have had their father and I stayed married. For that, I thank God often.
I still struggle with Mother's Day, however, because my mom is no longer here. I miss her terribly. I have so much that I want to share with her: her granddaughter's wedding, my amazing husband, her grandson's struggles in college. She's been gone over 13 years, and it still hasn't gotten any easier. The comfort I do have is knowing that I will see her again and we'll be able to catch up then.