FIVE Generations in My Family
Sweet Mama
Happy Mother's Day!
Time to honor those special women in our lives. Mother’s Day is Sunday. I love Mother's Day and I love all the loving women who have come into my life. Recently, I've read several Internet articles portraying Mother’s Day as selfish and even boring. The authors were mothers. Say it ain’t so!
So many women, whether they have children or not, have attributes often used to describe motherhood – loving, nurturing, caring, compassionate, and wise.
Until I was 45 (when I gained a wonderful stepson), I went through many a childless Mother's Day and endured countless baby showers. Yep, it's difficult to be child-free on those occasions; picture long conversations on childbirth and breast-feeding.
A-W-K-W-A-R-D.
Once upon a time, during my personal childless Mother’s Day pity party, my sweet mama reminded me that - I was, of course, a mother. What?? I questioned her statement, so she asked me to explain what I did every day at work as a teacher. I stared at her strangely, for she knew darn well what I did every day.
I thought about her question though. Here were my answers: I ask my "kids" (students) about their interests; I ask how they feel; I sympathize with some and laugh with others; I dry tears and shed a few; I find lost items before, during, and after school; I try to make them feel better when they are ill; I accept and give hugs; I lift up their spirits and confidence.
In those few seconds of thinking, I realized that Mama was right. (Of course.) I am a Mother. It's also true that those same answers applied not only to my students at school, but to my nieces, nephews, my friends' children, and my pets. They apply to every woman who loves and cares for others. Thank you Mama, for that insight.
Thanks to Mama, I have rarely felt left out, jealous, bitter, or sad on Mother's Day. I do not need to trivialize it; I need to honor it. In fact, I love Mother's Day. I love my mother and remember with joy her last Mother's Day when she turned 100 (the same day!)
Happy Mother's Day to all those women who care for others - regardless in what capacity! Mothers or not, and no matter what your occupation, your age, or your life situation – you are a strong example to those who love you.
So many women, whether they have children or not, have attributes often used to describe motherhood – loving, nurturing, caring, compassionate, and wise.
Until I was 45 (when I gained a wonderful stepson), I went through many a childless Mother's Day and endured countless baby showers. Yep, it's difficult to be child-free on those occasions; picture long conversations on childbirth and breast-feeding.
A-W-K-W-A-R-D.
Once upon a time, during my personal childless Mother’s Day pity party, my sweet mama reminded me that - I was, of course, a mother. What?? I questioned her statement, so she asked me to explain what I did every day at work as a teacher. I stared at her strangely, for she knew darn well what I did every day.
I thought about her question though. Here were my answers: I ask my "kids" (students) about their interests; I ask how they feel; I sympathize with some and laugh with others; I dry tears and shed a few; I find lost items before, during, and after school; I try to make them feel better when they are ill; I accept and give hugs; I lift up their spirits and confidence.
In those few seconds of thinking, I realized that Mama was right. (Of course.) I am a Mother. It's also true that those same answers applied not only to my students at school, but to my nieces, nephews, my friends' children, and my pets. They apply to every woman who loves and cares for others. Thank you Mama, for that insight.
Thanks to Mama, I have rarely felt left out, jealous, bitter, or sad on Mother's Day. I do not need to trivialize it; I need to honor it. In fact, I love Mother's Day. I love my mother and remember with joy her last Mother's Day when she turned 100 (the same day!)
Happy Mother's Day to all those women who care for others - regardless in what capacity! Mothers or not, and no matter what your occupation, your age, or your life situation – you are a strong example to those who love you.
Wonderful Mutti
Jessica, My Daughter-in-Law