If it’s not one thing it’s your Mother
Mothers Day can conjure up the sweetest memories as the poem my Father recites every Mother’s Day.
To one who bears the sweetest name
and adds luster to the same.
Who shares my joys when ever sad,
the greatest friend I ever had.
Long life to her, for theirs no other,
that could take the place of my dear Mother
Other times it feels like another demand requiring something from us in this commercialized world we live in. Every month except August has a holiday and then throw that into the mix of birthdays and the new found holidays of Siblings day, Grandparents Day, Staff appreciation Day, music day, etc (google the obscure holidays~ it’s pretty comical), it can feel overwhelming. If you are someone that LOVES holidays and worship, knock yourself out but if you are someone that requires more solitude and time, all of these occasions can feel like an assault on your personal space.
The relationship you have with your Mom makes a difference in how you want to honor her or not as well. Let yourself know the truth about how you do feel about your mom so you can honor her in a way that is honest and real.
Sometimes Mom’s have such a hold on us that we feel we might be swallowed alive by them with their powerful demands.
If she was demanding and obtrusive we might resent and loathe the day and feel guilty or resentful or both.
Find a way that works for you to honor the relationship you do have, making it work for you too.
No amount of gift giving or doing can make up for the guilt you might have and it is felt in the long run by her and goes underground in you creating a vortex for eruption later.
One thing I have heard over and over again is that when a mother or father dies they still live on in your heart and mind no matter what your relationship is, they are always a part of you. You came from their loins and gave you life which is the most miraculous gift one could receive.
A friend gave me this poem which I read at Mother’s Day.
http://www.gratefulness.org/poetry/lanyardcollins.htm
None of us had a blue print on parenting no matter how many books we read. It was paint by the number and sometimes we stayed in the line and sometimes we went outside the box. Remembering that takes the onus on having or being the perfect mother.
Perhaps we can’t really appreciate our Mother’s until we have children of our own. I remember my mom’s words well when she said “Wait until you have children of your own”! Ah… sweet revenge.
Yesterday when my son was helping dry the dishes he had the dish towel swirling and whipping it at me, I remembered my Mom running around the table with a coat hanger to swat me when I was 13 no doubt giving her lip. We finally broke into laughter because she couldn’t catch me which defused the whole thing.
Thanks to my Mothers, my sister Jan, my 4 children (Yes, I love you all the same just different~ even if you don’t believe me! You all just switch “hot spots” from time to time:-). I am so blessed and you are the best part of my life.
Perhaps Erma Bombeck said it best in her writing by keeping it real with laughter. Thank you Erma from all of us that honored you.
She died in 1996.
If it’s not one thing it’s your Mother and in one month it will be your Father:
June 21rst to be exact. 😊
Love and Laughter,
Cindy
Erma Bombeck Quotes On Motherhood:
* I loved you enough to ask about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home
* I loved you enough to insist that you buy a bike, that we could afford to give you, with your own money
* I loved you enough to make you return a Milky-Way— with a bite out of it—to the drug store and to confess “I stole this
* I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes
* I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust and tears in my eyes
* I loved you enough to admit I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness
* I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall and hurt
* But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when you hated me for it. That was the hardest part of all
* All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with white carpet is one of them
* Everyone is guilty at one time or another of throwing out questions that beg to be ignored, but mothers seem to have a market on the supply. “Do you want a spanking or do you want to go to bed?” Don’t you want to save some of the pizza for your brother?” Wasn’t there any change?
* Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say, “What light?” and two more to say, “I didn’t turn it on.
* I remember buying a set of black plastic dishes once, after I saw an ad on television where they actually put a blowtorch to them and they emerged unscathed. Exactly one week after I bought them, one of the kids brought a dinner plate to me with a large crack in it. When I asked what happened to it, he said it hit a tree. I don’t want to talk about it
* Kids have little computer bodies with disks that store information. They remember who had to do the dishes the last time you had spaghetti, who lost the knob off the Tv set six years ago, who got punished for teasing the dog when he wasn’t teasing the dog and who had to wear girls boots the last time it snowed
* Most women put off entertaining until the kids are grown
Sources: http://www.sevensidedcube.net/general/2010/mothers-day-2010-special-erma-bombeck-quotes-on-motherhood/
Not everyone has a great experience with their moms. Sometimes they have been hurtful and it is hard to find a way to make peace with that. Sometimes mothers day can feel like another commercial day like you said. However, you must appreciate mom. She is the reason why we are all here. Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome. Thank you for taking time to put your thoughts into words and sharing them. I would love to hear other’s percpective on how you find peace when you have been hurt.
It’s easier said than done which is where I see people having the biggest challange. Indeed, You’re Right: Moms need to be appreciated even with their flaws and short comings. You are so right and wise.
Hi Anneshirley,
Finally figuring all of these platforms out or trying.
I love that you are writing so much and sharing your heart.
Hope you are doing well. You are so write about he above.
Going to see my mom for her birthday now.
Big virtual hugs and thanks for taking time to write.
Can’t believe I’m just figuring out how to comment etc. lol
Strange times call for new measures.. lol
😘 Cindy
I remember those days all too well. Wanting to be the best of the best moms.
We always want to give our children what we feel we didn’t get,however it is
All a learning process. Many mistakes are made along the way.we can learn a lot from our children.I have come to know that we are all teachers for each other. It is difficult being a parent and equally difficult being a child with all of the challenges they are faced with.Having children is an incredible gift of God..