This post was written last year, but in honor of Mother’s Day I have decided to post More on Mothering again as a hats off to all mothers. It’s a tough gig, loving our kids the way they need to be loved and not the way we want to give it. Time changes our roles in the lives or our children but never the love. To all you mothers out there, I wish you blessings on this day of mothering.
I’ve written on Mothering before (click here). Lisa-Jo Baker recently challenged a few of us bloggers to feature an extraordinary mother in a post. There are so many to choose from. How can I choose but one?
Mothering does indeed go on even into adulthood.
I watch as my friend commits to help her youngest daughter every Tuesday, watching the precious little one she brought into the world a year ago; after having committed to help her older daughter on Wednesdays, traveling 55 minutes to do so, to enable her three grandsons to have one day at home to play and be free of schedules set by someone who is simply doing their job.
Or the mother who daily cares for the child who cannot communicate by standards of the status quo, because of Autism. Not the dream for the child she carried for nine months and beyond. Not the plan at all. And so emotionally draining as she balances the needs of her boy with the loss she feels of never really knowing her son; his feelings and thoughts on everyday issues, both big and small.
Or the mom who went to school to earn a degree while working a job because her husband’s business folded in this downward economy and they lost it all, even their home. So she stretches and juggles and finds rides for her girls and money for field hockey and rearranges work schedules so she can attend every school event, yet sacrifices by working while the rest of the family has a fun day at an amusement park or family gathering.
Or the mother who finished up home schooling her youngest daughter, her last child at home, all the while suffering from the ill effects of chemo after a double mastectomy, hoping and praying her Katie would have a normal senior year, like the one she labored to give her oldest two daughters All she was truly capable of was lying in bed, and yet she didn’t.
There are so many. Too many for me to choose but one.
Motherhood is a life-time calling, for once you mother your own, you mother always…anyone who needs a bit of tender love, no matter the age.
And the most amazing thing of all in this cycle of life, is when you get to mother your own parents in there twilight years, due to ill-health, or mental capacities that wane. I’ve watched this occur with several friends and family members. A challenge on so many levels, because all the while you want your mommy as you mother your own.
Thanks, Laurie, for the kudos. What else would a mother want for her daughter but the best? You are a dear friend and a great support for me. Don’t know what I would do without you!
How sweet! You truly are an inspiration to so many people…I may be your biggest fan.
Lovely, just lovely Laurie. You are right. How many amazing moms are out there? There is an endless sea of incredibly strong souls. I know quite a few of them too.
You are right Chris, there are. I just wrote about a couple…
I’m living the last paragraph right now. It’s very difficult, but I wouldn’t trade these days no matter how hard they are, as I take care of the woman who has supported me every moment of my life.
Aww…that’s very sweet, and hard, I’m sure.
Becoming a mother is a wonderful thing. Aside from watching your children grow you are among an amazing tribe of other mothers.
Motherhood is awesome, hard, fun, overwhelming…wouldn’t change a thing! Thanks for visiting.
We never outgrow our need for our mother! It was so nice to see someone I “know” as the SITS girl of the day! 🙂 Enjoy your day!
So true! I know, I do feel like I know you! Thanks for stopping by.
Life is a circle that turns but stays the same. Thanks for the post. I’m the oldest mother in my generation so I’ve already done the help at the end of life phase. I’m too young for it to happen to me, yet. Enjoy your SITS Day.
I love that first line. It’s so true! Thanks for the visit and comments!
Your words are so true. They remind me most of my mother who has her own mother to care for, and who still tries reaching out to me as a daughter with whatever little time she has. In some ways it gets harder, not easier, as time goes by!
The mother/daughter relationship is an amazing thing. And I agree, it gets harder in a lot of ways, but easier too in other ways.
This is a beautiful tribute to some amazing mothers! You are quite fortunate to know them.
You are right, Rabia, I am blessed.
Sigh… there are SO MANY amazing women who are moms out there. Each one has a story- we could write a tribute a hundred miles long eh? It is incredible how so many rise in the face of adversity to parent their children. I love your last line. Precious. XO
I had to go read this post again to see the last line. 🙂 Thanks Chris. And I agree, mothers can be so very amazing.
What a touching post, Laurie. Truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing and happy SITS day.
Thank you Heather.
What sweet stories you have highlighted! I feel like I have such a hard time with my 2 year old son (my only one) and look at what all these amazing women are doing. It seriously touches my heart and makes me realize how good I have it at the moment.
Thank you for putting things into perspective for me. I want to strive to be as wonderful of a mother as these women are.
Thank you so much for reading my posts and taking the time to comment. I’m sure you are a wonderful mother because of the words I hear.
That’s sweet Laurie, thank you 🙂
🙂
Happy SITS Day! I will always take great pride in and enjoy my role as mother, even as my children have children of their own. I’m lucky to still have a healthy, vital mom who loves to mother me. Trust me, I’m enjoying every minute of that!
Motherhood is the best!