Happy Mother's Day

I am a 50-something year old woman (gosh, remember when we thought 30-something was old, and heaven forbid, 40-something!) and I am lucky enough to still have my mom. This is a photo of my mom and dad the day they got engaged when my sister, brother and I were just a twinkle in their eyes! Don't know why my dad is wearing a hat!

Merriam-Webster defines a mother as follows:

I redacted #4 and you can probably figure out why!

This is a rather mechanical definition and I’d like to suggest that a mother is much more than the definition offered. I could go on about the buttons our mother’s mended, the snacks she packed, the boo-boos she kissed, the puzzles she put together with us, or the stories she read…..these are loving reactions of which any caring person is capable.

But a mother loves her children even when it is difficult to do so. She is often the inspiration (even when we don’t realize it) for the things we do that matter. She understands and respects silence, rejoices in our stories, and embraces our successes. She sits back, observes and lets us make our own decisions (even when she knows that they may be a bit wayward) but knows when to instinctively intervene. She understands that sometimes we don’t want solutions to our problems…we only want someone to listen. And when we do need guidance or a little push, she is a natural and patient philosopher and coach.

Today, I’d like to say thank you to my mom for the things she taught me and for the lessons she let me learn on my own. For supporting my decisions and helping me in innate ways that are difficult to measure or calculate. For giving me the roots to grow, the tenacity to soar, and for assisting me with the puzzle pieces of life.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, cousins, sisters and anyone else who loves and has made a difference in the life of a child. And if your mama is in heaven, know that she is looking down and smiling..so pleased and proud of her life's work!