No Such Thing as "Just a Mom"
As Mother's Day is upon us I have a couple of shares. When this time of year comes around I have always spent more time and energy thinking about what to do for my own mother and the mothers in my life ha I have hardly spent any on the fact that I am also a mother. We are all in different seasons of our lives insofar as celebrating Mother's Day. Simply by being, our mothers have a great impact on our lives. Whether they are present, missing, did a perfect bang up job or not so much, we still learn what to do and what not to do.
As a mother I have days when I think I've had great parenting moments and other days where I lay awake and wonder whether I've completely screwed up my childrens' lives. It is a daily challenge.
One day this week my daily devotional was about celebrating mothers and motherhood. In order to reverse a particular woman's thoughts that she didn't really do anything and was "just a mom", the writer dissected what a mom really is. This is here description:
She’s a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short-order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietician, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee, and gift purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable: hugs, kisses, and buckets of love. And hopefully, one day a child who will call her blessed.
I looked at that list and know that at one time or another I have done each and every one of these items. Some tenfold! (Except maybe the wallpaper hanger one. That might be the only one I haven't tackled yet!) And I know my own mom also did each and every one of these things, including hanging wallpaper. If you are a mom yourself I'll bet you can also identify with each of these jobs and I hope you can remember your own mom at these tasks. So I have to agree . . . there is no such thing as being "just a mom" whether your daily routine takes you outside of the home to work, inside the home or whether you work just as hard without making a dime.
So I think it is a cause to celebrate - whether you are a mom, have a mom or are remembering your mom.
I recently lost my own mother. I can actually count the days and hours since I got the phone call. Not trying to be a tearjerker here but I already miss her so very much. Even the things about her that aggravated me the most - those are the things I miss! I have picked up the phone several times lately to call her and it's like that wave hits all over again. It is taking a while to really realize she's not here. She was the last person around that has known me my entire life and there's just no replacement for that.
Here are a few of the things I would have loved to share with her this week:
I wore a new little dress that she bought me for my birthday and it fit perfectly. That would have been important to her.
We are getting low on her world famous Dixie Relish and she was supposed to teach me how to make it. She had already told me the jars to buy and the right pots to use. She loved that The Husband always asked her for more.
The First Son is graduating from highschool next weekend. She was so excited for him and about seeing everyone. She would have loved to hear about all the upcoming celebrations and events we are having and planning. She would have had all of her outfits out and ready!
The Second Son is singing at the Graduation Ceremony and she would have been so very proud.
She knew we were trying to get a new puppy. I've so wanted to tell her all about her!
As a mother I have days when I think I've had great parenting moments and other days where I lay awake and wonder whether I've completely screwed up my childrens' lives. It is a daily challenge.
One day this week my daily devotional was about celebrating mothers and motherhood. In order to reverse a particular woman's thoughts that she didn't really do anything and was "just a mom", the writer dissected what a mom really is. This is here description:
She’s a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short-order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietician, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee, and gift purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable: hugs, kisses, and buckets of love. And hopefully, one day a child who will call her blessed.
I looked at that list and know that at one time or another I have done each and every one of these items. Some tenfold! (Except maybe the wallpaper hanger one. That might be the only one I haven't tackled yet!) And I know my own mom also did each and every one of these things, including hanging wallpaper. If you are a mom yourself I'll bet you can also identify with each of these jobs and I hope you can remember your own mom at these tasks. So I have to agree . . . there is no such thing as being "just a mom" whether your daily routine takes you outside of the home to work, inside the home or whether you work just as hard without making a dime.
So I think it is a cause to celebrate - whether you are a mom, have a mom or are remembering your mom.
I recently lost my own mother. I can actually count the days and hours since I got the phone call. Not trying to be a tearjerker here but I already miss her so very much. Even the things about her that aggravated me the most - those are the things I miss! I have picked up the phone several times lately to call her and it's like that wave hits all over again. It is taking a while to really realize she's not here. She was the last person around that has known me my entire life and there's just no replacement for that.
Here are a few of the things I would have loved to share with her this week:
I wore a new little dress that she bought me for my birthday and it fit perfectly. That would have been important to her.
We are getting low on her world famous Dixie Relish and she was supposed to teach me how to make it. She had already told me the jars to buy and the right pots to use. She loved that The Husband always asked her for more.
The First Son is graduating from highschool next weekend. She was so excited for him and about seeing everyone. She would have loved to hear about all the upcoming celebrations and events we are having and planning. She would have had all of her outfits out and ready!
The Second Son is singing at the Graduation Ceremony and she would have been so very proud.
She knew we were trying to get a new puppy. I've so wanted to tell her all about her!
Little Fanta Lu would have gotten a chuckle from my mother.
I discovered these peonies in our yard this week! Loving all blooming things my mother would have loved telling me how to care for them!
The Chicken Fried Steak I made for The First Son turned out perfectly - thank you Ree Drummond from The Pioneer Woman for the recipe! My mom always wanted to know what I was cooking for dinner and shared recipes with me.
The Third Son told me about some interesting new inventions he had up his sleeve. She always delighted in his funny stories and "old man wisdom".
Those are just a few of the things I would have shared with my mom this week. I have to think that she knows all of them anyway.
So, whether you are scrambling to grab a last minute card for your mom, planning a visit or a phone call to share your life with her or are awaiting breakfast in bed, homemade cards, a decadent brunch or just a day together with your family, or maybe you are remembering a mom or mom figure who may not be with you, I think it's a lovely time to realize what a role a mother plays in this life. And know that there is no such thing as being "just a mom".
Happy Day!
Those are just a few of the things I would have shared with my mom this week. I have to think that she knows all of them anyway.
So, whether you are scrambling to grab a last minute card for your mom, planning a visit or a phone call to share your life with her or are awaiting breakfast in bed, homemade cards, a decadent brunch or just a day together with your family, or maybe you are remembering a mom or mom figure who may not be with you, I think it's a lovely time to realize what a role a mother plays in this life. And know that there is no such thing as being "just a mom".
Happy Day!
