Musings on Mother's Day

One thing I will never understand is leaving one's kids for some "Me Time" on Mother's Day.  You know, like going to the spa, salon, out to lunch with girlfriends, etc. without the kids.  Sort of like celebrating your wedding anniversary without your spouse.  Just sort of odd and oddly inappropriate.

I'm the kind of Mom who gives my kids cards on Mother's Day, just to say thanks for making me a mom and for making my job so fun.  I want to spend all day with them, laughing, playing, cuddling.

I just love being a mom.  Every night I still creep up to my kids' rooms to look in on them while they sleep.  They are so beautiful when they are sleeping.  I fix their blankets and plant a kiss on their cheeks.  And always I wonder when this will stop.  Will I be kissing stubble on my boys cheeks before I figure they don't need to be re-tucked in each night?  Maybe I'll stop when they start tucking me in.

I know I am blessed with my children.  I know, too, that I am blessed with my mother and grandmothers.

My mom, well, it's difficult to describe all she means to me.  We were talking the other day and neither of us can ever remember really fighting with one another.  Oh, sure I've gotten on her nerves and she on mine.  But, to fight with my mother?  I really cannot imagine it.

My mom breathes beauty into my life.  She has a way of adding touches here and there of loveliness wherever she goes.  A ribbon, a sprig of lavender, a flourish, a little heart next to her name on a card.  It's just her way.

She knows me.  She knows that I'm disorganized and flighty and passionate and opinionated.  And she loves and accepts me.

C.S. Lewis has been called "the most thoroughly converted man I ever met."  Well, my mom is the most thoroughly converted woman I've ever met.  She walks with Jesus.  And that's not a metaphor.  She really does walk with Him.  And she's had to walk some rough paths.  She has sown in tears so that I could reap in joy.

I mother my children out of the spring of motherly love she has given me.



My mother holding me at my dedication reception

 This season has been challenging for my mother and my grandmother.  My grandfather, who has lived in shades of gray for the past 50 years is now living completely in the dark.  He can scarcely see or hear.  To add insult to serious injury his mind is now virtually unreachable thanks to Parkinson's Disease.  For years my mother has longed for her father that is somewhere trapped inside.  She recently blogged how she wished she could "bring back my father’s mind and soul."  Now it looks like she won't be able to experience her father this side of heaven.  I know that silently breaks her heart.  Every mother is still a daughter.

My grandmother has modeled so much for me.  When my grandfather was diagnosed with his imbalance about 50 years ago, the hospital brought her divorce papers.  She never signed them.  "For better or for worse" was not just a nice sentiment.  She meant what she had said.  And she's lived it out.  Day-in and day-out.  If I could do anything I'd give her the last 50 years of her life back.  But, then again, the crown awaiting her in heaven and her eternal reward is so great that no one can take that from her.  Reality is that our time on earth is the shortest part of our lives.

If ever I start throwing myself a pity party I need only think of my grandmother and her love, patience, perseverance and basic Christ-likeness to throw out the kleenex and pull myself up by my bootstraps. 

In addition to loving her husband through daily servanthood, she loves her children and grandchildren so relentlessly.  She's that quiet presence always rooting for our success and cheering for every victory.  When we fail, she's disappointed, she prays, but she never gives up on us.



Grandpa and Grandma
Everyday Saints

 As I write this my grandfather is in the hospital.  A UTI has caused the dementia to radically increase overnight and my grandmother could no longer care for him at home, as she has for years.  The hospital is 2 hours from their home.  What are my mother and grandmother doing on Mother's Day?  They are visiting Grandpa.

It seems not enough to say "Happy Mother's Day" to my mother and grandmother.  In honor of Mother's Day, all I can say is "Thank you."