When I was a little girl, I complained to my mom and dad that there was no "kids day", which seemed very unfair since there were days for mothers and fathers. The response was, "Everyday is "kids day'". I wasn't really satisfied with that response. It was tough being a kid, especially the lack of freedom - being forced to stay in school until the clock finally struck a certain time, having to go to bed at a certain time, even if you weren't tired, and being served what was prepared for dinner, and not what you would have picked had you made the decision.
But now I know how tough it is to be a mother, so much tougher than being a kid, because everything is about your child. This was no surprise to me, but I am a little embarrassed to admit that the transition has not been as easy as I would have hoped, especially after almost ten years of near absolute freedom without children between finishing school and having children. Suddenly, as a mom, your "can't miss tv" is always missed tv. If you're sick or not feeling well, it doesn't matter because you still need to take care of your child. He/she/they still need to be fed, changed, and rocked because they are crying (even if you feel like crying yourself). The list goes on and on and as a parent of only eight month olds, I know this is just the beginning. There are so many sacrifices ahead that will be made, so many moments that my wants and needs will come second, if it all.
I am not sure it ever ends. My mom is still sacrificing for her children and doing all she can to help them - more than forty years after having her first child. I don't think we ever know just how much our parents do for us. When I think of what my parents did for me, I know it's just the top of the iceberg. There was and is so much more that they did and do for us.
Anyway, while this isn't a "Mother's Day card", I want my mom to know just how much I love her and appreciate all that she and my dad did for me, from the little things, less noticeable when I was a child, or perhaps taken for granted, such as providing a clean and warm house and cleaning up my vomit and holding my forehead when I had the flu (really not looking forward to that) to the bigger things like the Strawberry Shortcake mansion, the ten-speed, and the college semester/internship in D.C. and to all the things she still does today, such as meeting my most ridiculous demands and providing the boys almost their entire wardrobe. I can only hope that I can give my children the childhood (and adulthood) that she helped give me.
I love my mom so much. I want and need to talk to her every day, really about half a dozen times a day. And there is no other person with whom I would rather do some of my favorite things, such as watch HGTV or go to a movie (no offense to my much loved husband, but he doesn't really care for those things). And, there is nothing like holding her hand, it's so very soft. No hand can compare to hers. I can only pray that my children will love me as much as I love her.
I am also very appreciative of my mothers in law and all they do. Their generosity is not limited to my family. It extends to me personally. They do crazy things for me like looking for sand pails for the boys' room and making another run to Whole Foods for mini-cupcakes. And I am just a daughter in law!
So, I wish (belatedly) all moms (mine and everyone else's out there) a happy Mother's Day.
I know it's a long way off before the boys are grown and have their own families; but it is well worth the wait. I understand and remember when Dawn and Jill were growing up and needed 24/7 attention. There were times when they were off to college and then doing their own thing that I really missed those growing up years. It was lonely for awhile. But now Ken and I have all the time we want to spend together and look back on those years fondly. And yes, my kids, even though grown up, still need me. Life is good!.. Sarah
ReplyDelete