I think most Mother’s Days I write a musing. It’s a good day to stop and think about my own mother, and my grown daughters who are mothers, and all the women around the world who are mothers. Here is my 2023 look at them.
First, I have to say, somehow I was extremely lucky/blessed to have been born into a family with a mother who truly fit the bill: she was devoted to her children, and she was a kind, and caring woman, an okay cook (ha – I loved some of her special meals), She sacrificed for the three of us at times. She put in hard work without complaining. When I think of her I picture her in our finished basement, ironing clothes in front of the TV. Back then everything needed to be ironed. I also think about all the prep work she did to get us ready for our camping vacations. I think about her as the perfect pastor’s wife, and teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. Singing in the choir – she had a lovely voice. As third of us three I don’t ever remember having a disagreement or yelling match with my mother, and for that I can thank my sister who paved the way. Ha Mom loved her role as wife and mother, and I don’t think she ever had regrets about being the woman she was. I don’t remember hearing she and my dad fight but I am sure on occasion there must have been disagreements. Every marriage has them. Generally, though, I grew up in a very harmonious home. Not much yelling. I never ever doubted I was wanted.
I have followed in her footsteps in the same way. It’s funny how you do turn out to be like your mother as the expression goes. I didn’t have to work as hard with the daily tasks thanks to more modern technology, but as my mother, I have always put family life first. I live my home life now like she did. I thank her for being the role model she was to me.
So many women are not so lucky.
And I guess that’s where this musing turns now: to all the women out there, all who are mothers, who don’t have the blessings I had – and the ability to make choices. Many mothers don’t have a supportive husband and the comfort of basic needs. Here in America, at our southern border, in war-torn Ukraine, and all around the globe, mothers are hanging on – to their child, to their hopes, to whatever they can to make life better. They are mothers that don’t give up but still deal with a lot of pain and uncertainty.
There is a connection with all mothers. Once you become one you are part of ‘the group’ — the sisterhood of women who understand both the joys and challenges of raising children. The love of them is greater than anything else. So, it’s hard not to think about ALL mothers on “Mother’s Day.” Some are feeling love today, getting flowers, and going out for a nice buffet lunch. They deserve it. But, others are not getting special treatment. And, then there is the silent group of women who desperately wanted to be a mother but for some reason couldn’t. Today is a hard day for them too.
Motherhood means looking beyond yourself. Putting children first. Rare is the woman who births a baby and then doesn’t experience the awe of it all. When women become mothers they look at the world differently. They care for others who need a hand. They hurt when seeing other’s pain. They nourish by giving what they can. They comfort. They provide sympathy. Kiss a boo-boo. Sing a lullaby.
They do their best where ever they are. Yes, for sure we celebrate the wonderful mothers here in the US on this day. But we celebrate those waiting south of the border for asylum. And hiding children from bombs in dark basements. And we think of so many other places where perhaps food is scarce, and medical care is expensive, or education is only for the men, and where there is no daycare to try to work and make ends meet. Juggling. Sometimes doing without.
Here’s to ALL the mothers doing their best. Feeling tired at times. But never giving up. Putting children first. Spreading love.
Happy MOTHERS day to them all. ❤️
Marla’s Musings 