WHAT DAY ISN'T 'Mother's Day"?

 

Some bits of our hoped-for “Elder-Wisdom” bear repeating. We need to remember more than we sometimes do the most caring and impactful souls that have blessed our being.

Though today’s post is indeed a repeat, I offer no apologies for that. After all, the first mother in my life was the one who brought me to this world, then helped me learn how to cope with the craziness I found here.

And like so many of you I was blessed to have a second mother. Actually, she wore two hats. She was my wife when that was appropriate, and a mother to our children and me when that was required.

Perhaps like you I miss both of those mothers every day, and give thanks that they helped me prepare to carry on in their absence.

Yet, at the same time I give thanks for the next generations of mothers……my daughter and daughters-in-law, who carry on the family tradition of motherhood for their own families.

Today’s post, from an earlier time, is meant to celebrate them all.

            WHAT DAY ISN’T “MOTHER’S DAY”?

Seems to me the evidence is everywhere, all around us. Among the comforting pleasures of our October and November years are the quiet moments when we pause to consider the young lives we created so long ago, and the seemingly miraculous ways those humble beginnings, four of them in our case, have grown and blossomed.

 In his or her own way each of them has become and is still becoming their own person. (I for one can confirm that sometimes takes longer than it should.) Each of them is exploiting the gifts and tendencies they brought with them into this life……while attesting to the one affirming constant in their lives.

 We bear, at least the the fortunate among us, the mark of our mother. No matter what her personal way of showing it she was able, through all the years and decades from then to now, to provide the solid grounding and firm foundation from which our young adventurers were sent off to live their lives.

 From day one they were loved, and they knew it. It was a mother’s love. Whether she made it known in a tender touch, or not so subtle no-nonsense reminder, they knew they could count on her.

 While Dad was off trying to make sense of his own sometimes confusing world, Mom was maintaining the nurturing home they relied on. Yet even then there was another truth, a too-often unnoticed bit of irony, at work. 

 You see, fact is Dad has always needed Mom’s “mothering” as much as the growing, “becoming” kids that hurried through our lives. He has always relied on the way she keeps us on track, never allowing his sometimes off-the-wall schemes and dreams to distract from the central reality of “family.”

 And, as it is in every family, further proof of Mother’s efforts is reflected in the young families her children are creating and raising. 

 There is simply no way that a single day is enough to honor and celebrate what she means to us. It does, however, provide an opportunity to once again restate the truth of it……..the circle remains unbroken……..because of Mom.

 Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers.