Mother's Day is coming :)

This excerpt has been taken from the book, Mother Daze... tales from the imperfect playground. The chapter, Cherish Your Mother, gives the reader a chance to reflect on their own mother/daughter relationship.

I once chatted with a woman in her 60’s about the recent loss of her mother. After speaking with her at length about the sadness of loss, and what a terrible void she now had, she ended the conversation with three simple words "Cherish your mother." Never did that statement ring so clearly until I became a mother myself, because quite frankly, no one loves us like our mother.

It was after the birth of my first child that everything became so clear. As I held his toasty warm body in my arms, I could truly appreciate my own mother’s intense love for her three girls -- a complete knowingness was finally identified. As a teacher, I fully appreciate the importance of a good substitute, but quite frankly, there is
absolutely NO substitute for a good mother!

A mother’s overall influence on her children is huge. My entire life, I have rested comfortably in the glow of my mother’s love -- a complete bonus for my emotional safety and security. I couldn’t quite grasp that concept as a youngster, but as I have aged, I feel the intensity in my heart for my own three children and recognize that a mother’s protection is instinctual. Just observe a mother bird trying to safeguard her nest -- don’t go there.

When a mother asks her child, "How are you doing?"
she honestly cares about the response, wholeheartedly and completely in tune. I fully appreciate the undeniable fact that my own mother provides a genuine concern for me that no one else can ever possess: No strings attached, unconditional love. But mother’s love is
not always easy. Kids can choose to demonstrate such un-lovable behaviors, yet a mother’s love endures. As mothers, we are often fighting a daily battle -- physically and emotionally! Most children seem to present such an unfair, and often times, bizarre mentality with their parents: "Because I love you and feel safe in your care, I will now torture you." How sweet. It’s like a backwards compliment delivered on an emotional roller coaster. We, no doubt, possess the uncanny ability to withstand our child’s occasional verbal assaults and unending blows aimed right at our hearts, but, like the ultimate boxer, mothers can’t be knocked down.

To the mother’s of the world, I grant each a simple head nod -- no answers, no magic solutions, just the acknowledgment that we are doing a very difficult job and we’re doing it quite well. My hope is to remind women that they are the most valued ingredient for their families’ overall existence and happiness.

When I think of my own mother, I realize how often she provided the endless cuddles and arm tickles, and wiped away my tears with smiles and kisses. She can appreciate, first hand, what complete exhaustion feels like and knows all about the late night march. She did it. She experienced the craziness associated with
raising children. For her patience, kindness, and genuine gift of concern, I will forever remember to cherish my
mother.

Happy Mother's Day :)