Mother (muhth-er) – One person who does the work of 20, for free.
Mother’s Day is almost here. Whether your mother is still with you or just a great memory, there’s lots to be said about our mothers. Mothers work hard! They are the cook, laundress, maid, chauffeur and child psychologist. They are usually the first person to cope with their child’s daily needs. It has been said that the quickest way for a mother to get her child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
My friends have recently shared thoughts about mothers and it made me remember mine, too.
Here’s something from a clearly stressed-out mother: “I thought I used to worry a lot when my kids were little. Then I had teenagers. Do you know what I would give right now to worry about sippy cups and bedtime routine? Everything.”
Another thought from a mom: “I’ve carried a child within my body, slept with them on my chest, kissed little toes and wiped away tears. I’ve been vomited on, wet on and slept sleepless nights cradling my child, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My body isn’t ‘magazine perfect,’ but when I look in the mirror, I see that being a mom has been a blessing.”
I love this one from a mother: “I child-proofed my house, but they keep getting back in!”
Then there’s this one: “By the time a woman realizes her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she’s wrong.”
These are thoughts of many young mothers: “I gave birth to you, but you came with no instructions. All I knew was that I loved you long before I saw you. I know I made some mistakes and I’m sorry, but I was doing the best I could with what I knew. Everything I did for you, I did from love. You are my child, my life and my dreams for tomorrow.”
Another mother said this about her teenage children: “I am your biggest fan. I am your protector. I will always defend you. I will get frustrated. I will be proud of you and I will be a confidant. I will love you because I am your mom.”
Teenagers have been known to stress out both their parents.
Today, most mothers not only have a job outside their home, but also at home after work even though they’re very tired. I can remember just wanting to sit down for a minute after work, but there were two little guys at my house who wanted to have dinner, quickly.
Maybe that’s what this mother meant: “My hope is that they will remember that mommy tried … even when she was tired, even when she was stressed. I hope they will know that I did it all for them, and that I had every intention of being great at motherhood, but that some days all I could be was OK.”
From an appreciative child’s point of view we have this one: “I still need my mom. It doesn’t matter how old I am. My mom has made me laugh, she has dried my tears, she has hugged me comfortably, she has seen me triumph, she has seen me fall. She has given me courage when I was down, and sometimes she has driven me crazy! But my mom is a promise that I will always have a friend.”
This might be my favorite: “Your mother is always with you. She’s the smell of certain food you remember, flowers you pick and the fragrance of life itself. She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well. She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep. She’s the place you came from. She’s your first love, your first friend and even your first kiss.
This shows mothers are a strong force in our life. A police recruit was asked during an exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?’
The reply, “I’d call for backup!”
This is in remembrance of those mothers who took such good care of us. I also wish Happy Mother’s Day to those who are still working at it! One last thought – It is never easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.
(Melanie Behrens – melb@marysvillejt.com)