Motherhood is an adventure in loving. There are no guarantees and no guidebooks that can adequately prepare mothers for their incredibly important task. Only massive doses of love can insure the job is done properly, because there is no tougher job than tending a garden of souls. Stories like this one remind me of how unpredictable and interesting a mother’s job can be:
My niece was fixing lunch at the stove when her three-year-old daughter walked in and asked, “Is ‘Tonic Water’ water?”
The mother answered, “Not really. It’s a little different. Why? Do you need some water, Honey?”
“No thanks,” her daughter replied, “I had some of the dogs’. It was real good.”
My mom raised five children. When our family reminisces, many such stories surface. Some of the stories bring laughter and others bring tears. I am often amazed that we put our mother through the things we put her through. Nothing compares to a healthy mother-child relationship. My wife and I had a child of our own and I had front row seat as I watched my wife give her life for her son. In our case my wife forfeited a career in order to homeschool her only son. They explored books and museums. They did crafts and projects. As someone with a degree in teaching, I observed that they had a richer education than those who attended multi-million-dollar institutions. He far exceeded our expectations, graduated with a masters’ degree from a highly rated college, and enjoys a great career as he raises children of his own. It’s no wonder tough guys get “mom” tattooed on their biceps.
Kudos to all the moms out there who are steering their brood through the many challenges of life. With the unexpected challenges of COVID added to the typical hazards that parents face, it is more important than ever that we make sure Mom knows we appreciate her and have her back. Maybe she deserves a little extra down time this month. How cool would it be if Mother’s Day was more than a routine holiday, and more of a genuine celebration? That is what you can do to make sure the loving adventure continues in your world.