The celebration of Motherhood, for me, is wrapped up in the tiny details – it is in the dandelions clutched in tiny fists, presented to me as Royal flowers, it is the unexpected, “Mommy?…. I love you.” from the quiet of the backseat of the car… it is the smile I can’t hide when one of the small people holds the door open for someone or says, ‘thank you’ without a prompt…. It is in hearing the small dude say he can’t wait to be at the same school as his sister so he can hug her at recess or the small girl congratulate her brother on a school project. Individually, these moments are but grains of sand gathering on the shore of my life as a mother… but collected?
They mean I am doing something right.
And THAT is worth celebrating.
In the sea of guilt that threatens, some days, to take me down, it matters to me to know there are moments, there are glimpses and golden reminders.
I know, for some mothers – being celebrated on Mother’s Day means a ‘day off’ – heading to the spa, a massage, a pedicure, no laundry….. and for others, it means to be surrounded by family. It seems to me that both age and the length of time you have been a mother factor in to your preferences here. As a brand new mom – you are enamored by all things motherhood…. You wouldn’t dream of spending your first Mother’s Day without the being who made you so…. When you are in the throes of the crazy – the taxi driving, the soccer games, the PTA, the homework, the 9 year old or teen angst – you can’t seem to help but scream for the Calgon but as your children begin to develop a sense of their own lives…. Distancing themselves naturally, you long to grab them by the shoulder and pull them back.
I know, if it was up to my mom – we would be with her from sunrise to sunset. But I have friends who would be happy with breakfast in bed and a day off.
For me…. I think I fall somewhere in the middle. Now, don’t go accusing me of being wishy-washy. I want to spend time with my small people. I want to be surrounded by everything that reminds me of the joy of being a mom – I want to be hugged a million times – I want smiles and little-bitty hands curled in mine – I want eyes that look at me – still somehow sure I have the answers. – I want my children to get along…. AND I don’t want to do the laundry or make dinner.
So there.
Who’s with me? How would you like to be celebrated on Mother’s Day?
This Mother’s Day conversation is sponsored by a company I love (and use!) Tiny Prints. I love that they have given me some beautiful things to think about as Mother’s Day approaches. All of their Mother’s day cards(and Father’s day cards too!) are fully customizable and can be sent straight to the recipient. You can even schedule the cards to be sent ahead of time too.
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