Mothers….

It’s that time of year, pictures of mothers are appearing everywhere on social media.   Odes to mothers, memes of mothers, personal snippets of memories of mothers, ads for things to buy for mothers.   Mothers are everywhere, like always.

A day devoted to mothers is a great idea.  Personally, I don’t do much for it.   But, somehow it always draws me in.  That old song that says, ‘Sometimes I feel like a motherless child,’ comes to mind each May.  I don’t know why, yes, there’s the fact that yes, I was a motherless child, but, to me, it was my life.  No different than anyone else’s life.   I had all the laughter and joy that everyone else has had.  I had tears and frustrations and heart break, just like anyone would.   My life was no different.

So, each year during this week, I return to this feeling.  It’s not pity.  It’s not sadness.  I am not sorrowful.  It is this wondering I have in my mind.  I wonder if I would have gotten along with my mother as I grew up.  I wonder what pictures would have been like and what memories would be associated with the pictures of graduations, weddings, family gatherings.  You know, those thoughts you have when you see a picture of something.  I look at the pictures surrounding me in my living room as I write this.  A senior picture of my niece, being thrilled that she had a senior picture as a brain cancer survivor.   A small picture of my grandchildren talking to each other over a meal at our table.  I can remember looking at them and enjoying seeing them interact with one another.  My daughter’s senior pictures, remembering driving them to their photography session and remembering all the times and trials that got them to that point.  Today I looked for pictures of my mom to copy so I could put one as a facebook photo.  They were all old and I knew they would just show up as fuzzy.  Just another reminder of what might have been or could have been.

I have been blessed, though, in having women in my life as mother figures.  Those mothers of friends who filled in the gaps when I needed it.  Those who would gently point me in a direction from the way I was going.  The ones who would hug me and I knew it was a mother’s hug.

My older sister stepped in and stepped up when she didn’t need to.  I resisted her influence the way water and oil repel one another.  We were like opposite ends of a magnet.  At times attracting, but, in others, repelling each other.  The older I get, the more respect and admiration I have for her.

I think there are many mother figures in our lives.  Women placed during a particular season of our lives, giving us comfort, admonishment, encouragement and sometimes just a cup of tea.  These women are so valuable to me.

Mothers are everywhere this month.  Just like we always are.   Being a mother is one of the greatest joys of my life.  My daughters are different in many ways, and yet, when it is distilled, they are very similar. I see some of the magnet reaction in them as I experienced with my older sister, and although it is something I never desired for them, I know there is a reason and a season for this.

My daughters are mothers.   That is best thing in the whole world.  Seeing them function as moms.  Seeing them tired and stressed and so very happy all at the same time.  Watching them with their children is a gift to me.  Watching their children with them is a pure blessing.  Mothers are everywhere, in stores (when you can get into one), online, in advertisements.   Just like we always are.

One day to celebrate mothers is absurd.  Yes, it’s a day to send cards, send flowers, call, text, make it facebook official, all of that.   But, in reality, mothers are honored everyday.  It may not be with presents or flowers or cards.  It may not be with nice meals or dessert, but a mother is honored each time she hears, “Mom!”   That three letter word calls to a mother’s heart.  It may call worry, stress, dread, laughter, sarcasm, but it comes with an emotion attached to it.   A simple day that reminds us that mothers are everywhere,  just like we always are.

Thanks for stopping by today.   Cathi (DAF)

Advertisement