Friday morning was Muffins with Mom Day at my daughter’s school, a special Mother’s Day treat in honor of our day. I sat on the floor of the library with Bunny enjoying a blueberry muffin and watching her make googlie eyes at a boy. As I sipped my coffee and watched her steal coy and flirtatious glances at her classmate, I realized my baby wasn’t a baby anymore. She wasn’t particularly thrilled when I wanted to walk her to morning assembly, and she really didn’t want me to kiss her goodbye in front of all of her friends.
As I walked across the parking lot back to my car, I started to think about motherhood and what it meant to me. Motherhood is equal parts of joy, tears, happiness, frustration, pride and sacrifice. It is not something you can take a vacation from, even if you could. I have never had a more important job and I never will again.
But I didn’t get to this point in my life alone. It started with my mother, and my grandmother before her, and her grandmother before her…women who shaped who am I am today. Then there is Elle and Bunny’s birth mothers. I never met these women, but they gave me the greatest gifts of my life. Every day I look in the eyes of my daughters and I give thanks for such an amazing and selfless gift.
And then there are the foster mothers of the world. It takes a special woman to foster children, either for a day, a week, or years. Women who selflessly give their time, their homes, and their love to children in need. I know there is a reserved spot in Heaven for foster mothers.
Motherhood is about being selfless, about taking care of your children before you take care of yourself. Before I became a mother, I always wondered if I could give so much of myself to another. But, once my daughters were placed in my arms, I knew without a doubt I could.
So, as this Mother’s Day dawns bright and beautiful, enjoy the homemade cards, the special Mother’s Day presents made in art class, and if you are lucky…a muffin in bed. Take a moment to let your children honor your selflessness.
It is because of your selflessness, either to give a child in love or take a child in love, that this day is even possible.
Happy Mother’s Day.
