We are approaching another Mother’s Day. Of course, I consider it an important time because I am a mother and we spend our lives raising our children.
For most mothers, children are everything and yet they can be challenging. Take this little boy, for example. I know the story will be familiar to most of you.
A small boy is sent to bed by his mother. Then just five minutes later she hears, “Mom.”
She says, “What?” He says, “I’m thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?”
“No,” she says, “you had your chance. Now, lights out.”
Just five minutes later she hears, “Mom, I’m thirsty. Can I have a glass of water?”
Mom replies, “I told you, no. If you ask again I’ll have to spank you!”
A few minutes later, “Mommmm, when you come up to spank me, can you bring me a glass of water?”
Of course, that adorable young guy was just thirsty, but we also know that many of our children stall when going to bed and mothers are on to their tricks.
Children challenge the world in other ways when answering questions. Here are some examples:
Why did God make mothers? Here are some children’s replies – “She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.” And “Mostly to clean the house.”
Then there’s the question, Why did God give you to your mother and not to some other mom? That brought this reply, “We are related – God knew she liked me a lot more than other people’s moms like me.”
Another question was, Who is the boss at your house? One child replied, “Mom. She doesn’t want to be the boss, but she has to because dad is such a goofball.” Another said, “Mom is. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under your bed.” And there’s this one – “I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.” (Oh, that might be very true.)
I love this question – What does your mom do in her spare time? A great reply – “Nothing, moms don’t have spare time.”
I also love this one – If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be? One answer was, “She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.” And finally, another child said, “I would like her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.”
Yes, children challenge us, but they also make our lives wonderful. This mom of grown children said it in a great way.
“My children each year ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I’d give them my real answer when asked, what do you want for your birthday?”
“I want you. I want you to keep coming around. I want you to bring your kids around. I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, and ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, or rant about whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your spouse, your kids and your babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don’t care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.”
“I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work. Raid my refrigerator; help yourself, I really don’t mind. In fact, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family. I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for my birthday, I say, ‘nothing,’ because you’ve already been giving me my gift all year.”
Now I leave you with two important thoughts – The joy of motherhood is what a woman experiences when all the children are finally in bed. And, remember, life doesn’t come with a manual – it comes with a mother. Don’t forget to wish your mother a happy Mother’s Day!
(Melanie Behrens – melb@marysvillejt.com)