Motherhood

 

Mother’s Day came and went recently. It was a great day and I enjoyed spending the day with some of my favorite people. I had every intention of writing a Mother’s Day post sooner; however, my computer crashed and I lost everything. And at this point, I’m glad I didn’t. As I was perusing through Facebook a couple of days ago, I came across a status update explaining why Mother’s Day was unnecessary. The writer basically said that a day meant for thanking someone for doing what they were supposed to do anyway was asinine. They felt that it was a Hallmark holiday meant to boost card sales in an off month. It was a very interesting opinion that I’ve heard about other holidays (Valentine’s Day mostly) but never really about Mother’s Day. So, I would like to pose an argument as to why Mother’s Day is important.

 

Firstly, simply being a mother does not make you someone worth celebrating. If all you have ever done for your child is give birth to them, you don’t even deserve the title, in my opinion. And there are plenty of people like that in this world. Maybe that’s the only form of a mother this person had in life. Otherwise, stating that mom’s are only “doing what they are supposed to do” and don’t deserve any thanks…. I simply don’t understand that.

 

I suppose, technically, that “what I’m supposed to do” is feed and clothe my children. Provide them with a house to live in and make sure they get an education. If that was all I ever did for them, I still wouldn’t feel myself worthy of appreciation. It’s everything else, the things that truly make me a mommy, that I hope my children, and husband, feel are important. Mostly, I want them to know that it is all a manifestation of how much I love them. I don’t feel that I should necessarily have some big celebration. However, knowing that they are thankful for all that I try to give to them, makes me feel like I am succeeding in loving them.

 

The following words were read at the church I attend, on Mother’s Day. I thought they were beautiful and I couldn’t possibly say it better. This is the perfect explanation of why I feel Mother’s Day is worth celebrating.

 

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you
To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
To those who are foster moms and mentor moms– we celebrate you
To those who kneel in prayer for the next generation – we need you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children or your mother – we believe with you for restoration

 

To those who are raising children on their own – we honor you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we believe with you.
To our spiritual moms – we honor you
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst
To all those who are stepmothers – we applaud you

 

To those who are caring for their aging mothers – we appreciate you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you
To all of our grandmothers who are leaving a lasting legacy – we are blessed because of you
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. God bless you!