When my kids were young, that's exactly how I felt, many a day. Days were filled with calls of Mommy, Mom, Wipe Me, I'm hungry (literally, every time I walked in the door), I need this, Can you do that....Meanwhile a young one cried- then it was into the car to take someone here, pick up someone there- Change a diaper, Prop that bottle up and away we went. The phone is ringing, somebody is at the door. Who are all these random kids running through my house? Why is there water streaming down my wall? Who clogged the toilet? Speaking of toilet, Big Daddy you need to get off of it now. I can't find any clean socks.. It continued on and on, just like being endlessly pecked by a duck.
Today, things are different, still hard. Days are filled with emotion, sometimes tears (come on, we have a houseful girls...) I find myself in the car, much of the day, driving here, running there, dropping off, picking up....Are jobs done? Your did what? Where are you going? Why aren't you home? I'm really tired. How are your grades? I hope my kids make this, try out for that and get asked to the next school dance. Worries mixed with happiness, sometimes bliss and other times heartache.
Today, things are different, still hard. Days are filled with emotion, sometimes tears (come on, we have a houseful girls...) I find myself in the car, much of the day, driving here, running there, dropping off, picking up....Are jobs done? Your did what? Where are you going? Why aren't you home? I'm really tired. How are your grades? I hope my kids make this, try out for that and get asked to the next school dance. Worries mixed with happiness, sometimes bliss and other times heartache.
Through it all, though, I can honestly say, I am now & always have been grateful to be a mother- Yes, I longed for a little break now and then- and breaks were taken. Big Daddy was on the ball, no matter how busy his or my life would become, he would offer relief. Once I even checked myself into a hotel, Alone, downtown, for a mental sanity break.
Now, here we are, Mothers Day, and my message to my children is that I love them. I don't need a dang thing! Well, maybe a card telling me how absolutely wonderful I am, Flowery and proclaiming me your hero, maybe something about how skinny I look..Oh, and anything homemade is fine, something fun made at school, those are the best! a few hugs and possibly an I love you here and there, but nothing bought is necessary. I just want your heart. Just love and the gift of good, serving and loving children. Children who get along and enjoy each others company, embracing each others differences.
I understand how blessed I am to be called mom, to have been given the opportunity to carry a child within me, to nurture and teach, to cuddle and to love. I love 'em, love 'em, love 'em; these kids of mine, so incredibly much, so much so that sometimes it hurts. Even as I was in the trenches so to speak, I always knew how quickly time passes and I truly tried to relish and soak it all in. To enjoy the moment, to live the day to the fullest. Some days I succeeded better than others.
It is truly the hardest thing I have ever done. I get confused and I don't always do the right thing. I wonder if I have taught them enough, expressed my love, listened, had fun with and worked them enough. Sometimes I feel like a big screw up but I keep trying and these children of mine, they give me a break and I hope they know how I try and I think they know how much I love them.
On this day, I must give a shout out -Happy Moms Day to My sweet Mom. I love her to death. She is a hard honest worker who I have watched and have tried to learn and emulate in so many ways. She loves all her daughters and my silly dad too.
And to the newest Mom on the Block... to her I say, Way to Go-You are doing great and what a blessing it is to me to see you put so much love and care and concern into your efforts with your sweet little baby boy and to relish your role as a Mom in this new adventure in your life!
Happy Mom's Day to Mothers, all Women out there, doing good, making a difference, having fun, loving and nurturing those around them!
I wish you All A Very Happy Mothers Day, today and always.
(and to all you young moms; FYI, the pecking stops when your youngest child is about 5 years old)
