It is my opinion that no work we can ever do is as important as the work we do within the walls of our very own homes. Families lift and strengthen each other, love and laugh together, and stand by each other during good times and bad. At the heart of all of this is mother, and no job can be as richly rewarding (no bias here!) or as deeply trying. No endeavor can elicit such exquisite joy or such exquisite pain as that of being a parent and watching a piece of your very own heart grow up so quickly before your eyes, experiencing more and more of the promise and pains of life under your care but increasingly out of your control.
It is impossible to fully put into words the range of emotions, the lessons learned, the challenges overcome or the many wonders enjoyed in the undertaking that is motherhood, but we are going to give it a good try! Celebrate mothers and motherhood with us as we journey through some thoughts and perspectives by those who are mothers and those who have been touched by them.
Ups and Downs
No one will argue with the fact that motherhood can be hard. Many moms might wonder, like Stacey Silva of the Silva Family Blog, What Have I Gotten Myself Into? (especially new moms, can't say that thought never crossed my mind the night I brought my newborn baby home from the hospital and found out the that term "sleeping like a baby" was a total farce!), or maybe even longing for a moment of freedom, as Stay-at-Home Moms Guide Apryl discusses in Mourning Life Before Motherhood. However, Katherine Lewis, About.com's guide to Working Moms, reminds us that Yes, It's Supposed to Be This Hard.
Not only can it be hard, but sometimes all of that hard work goes almost unnoticed, which can be especially difficult on Mother's Day, so take heart from Guide to Parenting Special Needs Terri Mauro, who gives us advice on Making Peace with Mother's Day. Or, maybe we feel that Mother's Day Should be spread around over the whole year a little more, like Laureen Miles Brunelli suggests in Happy Mother's Day and Bah Humbug Too! Sometimes, though, it's mothers who can be hardest on themselves, so make Mother's Day A Time to Reflect, with Parenting Tweens guide Jennifer O'Donnell, and if you are a mother, think of the positive things you do and the contribution you make. Also, Laura Kyle from A Balanced Approach reminds us, don't forget about Taking Care of Mama, and have a good laugh with Mother's Day Cartoons by Donna Lewis at Reply All.
Although being a mom can be trying in many ways, it's all so very worth it. Nothing can compare, and Edna Henke describes it so eloquently in her poignant thoughts I Have a Mother and I Am a Mother So I Know Love, as does Mamapoekie in her Musings on Motherhood. Guide to Single Parents Jennifer Wolf also enlightens us with some wonderful thoughts about Some of the Unexpected Gifts of Motherhood, and Katherine Lee, Guide to Child Parenting, reminds us that Mother's Day is a time for Looking Back and Forward.
Love and Appreciation for Wonderful Mothers
As we think about the joys of motherhood, it's impossible not to think about the joy, comfort and care we received from our own mothers or other amazing moms. Enjoy Martin Hodges' beautiful poem Presence, which ponders the lasting care that mothers provide so constantly, and be inspired by Ruth, a story of a marvelous example of a mother by Pamela Loxley Drake at A Grandparent's Voice. Sally Kabak from Raising Grandchildren shares a unique and touching perspective on grandmas and great grandmas in her thoughts My Mother, My Friend, and Lisa at Grandma's Briefs reminds us that throughout the generations and no matter how many kids we have, Hearts Grow On.
As we think about all of the wonderful mothers we know, let's not forget to show our appreciation. Whether it's our own mother, an aunt, a grandmother, lets give thanks to those mothers who have touched our lives. Donne Davis from GaGa Sisterhood reminds that grandmothers can Show Appreciation to the Mother of Your Grandchildren, and Guide to Grandparents Susan Adcox also shows Appreciation of Daughters Who Are Moms. What a kind way to lift a mother who may be struggling or wondering if she's doing a good job. We can all use some words of encouragement, whether it's on Mother's Day or any other Day of the year.
More Thoughts on Mother's Day
Leave your thoughts with Guide to Kids' Parties Megan Cooley, who asks about where to focus your Mother's Day appreciation efforts in Is Mother's Day a Mother Overload?, and if you feel up to it, make this day a Mother's Day on the Move, with thoughts from Family Fitness Guide Catherine Holecko. Also, if you need extra special gift ideas, look no farther than Guide to Family Crafts Sherri Osborn for Home-Made Gift Ideas for Mom.
No matter how you spend the weekend or who you spend it with, we wish you a very happy Mother's Day! Thanks to everyone who made this Mother's Day blog carnival so special.
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