Mother's Day is a day when we celebrate the women responsible for sculpting our lives and creating in us a newer, improved model. Whether you're a mother with children of your own, or you share your love with furry friends, to include fish (if you wish), women hold the world in their hands. And what a formitive world it is.
Societies all across the board have cherished women. A woman is the key to mankind. Her womb harbors the survival of humanity. There is no finer role in life than to take on the yoke of motherhood, in whichever form that may be.
To respond to this call of duty, many of us have put careers on hold in order to experience the joys of motherhood. And even more of us have gone to various lengths to have a child, oftentimes without happy result.
On the childhood front, in war-torn countries countless children are orphaned on a day to day basis. Death is common. Fear is prevelant. Like childless women desperate for a baby of their own, little ones yearn for someone willing to offer them the love they've been mortally denied.
I count myself lucky that my children were born Americans and have grown into healthy adults. Yet, I yearn for the days when they gathered at my feet or we sat together reading stories before bed. Though those were oftentimes loud and stressful moments, I cherish each one even more as the years pass by.
In light of those emotions, I've asked myself over and over again, what makes a woman successful? Is it the smile she puts on everyday for those she loves, even if she's got a fever or has been up all night long with a sick child? What about the hours she's put in to tidy her home and cook a great meal for her husband, often without a thank you?
Does a woman base her success on her career or the love of those around her when she's still trying to figure out who she is?
Life is a wonderful thing. Seasons come and go. People are born and die. In the interim, each and every one of us has had a mother. Many of us have been mothers. Nurturers have been given the chance to teach, sculpting the next generation. And yet, others will find motherhood or grandparenthood in the not so distant future.
Our experiences, the love we've shared with our families, have made us unique. What is the one thing you've learned from your mother that you want to pass along to the younger generation as you pass the baton?
The belief that you can achieve anything you want to if you work hard enough. My mama is a great believer in hard work and she always believed I could achieve anything I wanted to if I put enough effort into, even the things she didn't approve of!
ReplyDeleteYou've out that advice to good use, Stephanie!!! Just look at all you've accomplished in this last year alone. Hugs!!!
DeleteI love this piece of advice and I'm sure you're passing it off to all the little ones you nurture each and every day at school. ;)
*put*. (Lol!)
DeleteStand by your commitments and carry through with what you have promised. I guess that is my mantra - if I say I am going to do it, then I do it. My mother always instilled that in me. It's the one thing you know when you deal with me; I am a person of my word.
ReplyDeleteI think this advice is one of the most important pieces of humanity that should be passed on. This is why I'm so drawn to history... Days when a man gives his word and it stands for something.
DeleteLTC was brought up on the importance of a hand shake. Your word is your bond philosophy. We've tried to instill that into our kids. Sadly, I think there is too much leeway given, and reward, for lying these days, don't you?
I love that we can always count on you, Cheryl!!
Yes, I do think that there is too much leeway and lying in today's world. I really hate the part where people blame others when something goes wrong. If you did it, then own it and move on. Can't stand a back-stabber or a liar.
DeleteMy mother and I were not very close. I think in many ways she was just done. I was the baby, the fourth child. I have complete compassion for her being done by the time I rolled around; especially given the circumstances she lived through. That said, my oldest sister was more a mother to me in many ways. I just don't remember mother being at home...she was always working. But I have grande memories of Dr. M. taking me under her wing and loving me, helping me, laughing with me. She was the best!
ReplyDeleteSo what did mom give me that I want my kids to have? Tenacity. Hands down I want my girls to have the tenacity that Grannie gave to Mother and Mother gave to all four of us kids. Life serves you up a bowl of Undesirable? Have the tenacity to take it on and make life submit! In other words, don’t take it lying down. Fight! Grannie made it through the Depression with five kids never going hungry. Mother made it through the 1950s as a divorcee and a working woman. I’m making it just like you are. Who knows what our children will face? My hope and prayer is that they face it, whatever ‘it’ is, head on with tenacity!
That's a fabulous lesson to pass on, though I'm sorry you had to learn it that way. At least, you had others to guide you through life. I always like to think that one never knows how he/she can influence someone who might be hiding despair or have an unspoken need. How we relate to others reflects how we've been treated, don't you think?
DeleteWork hard, be committed, following through with promises, and be tenacious. We've got the ground works for a great list.
My mother, whose living with me now, always taught me to try and put myself in someone else's shoes. Sometimes that gets me into trouble. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteShoes? My mother had great shoes! Fabulous shoes! There were these ones that were pearlescent with 3" spiked heels. Loved those shoes she collected! Ooh! And lipstick. She did that 1950s lipstick thing and it was beautiful!
DeleteLol! You always crack me up, Lesia!
DeleteSadly, I must confess my mother's shoes were cool but like Goldilocks, I found them to be too small. Le sigh.
Now the lipstick thing... Well, I do it too. ;)
Stand up straight.
ReplyDeleteA girlfriend is worth twenty boys.
Don't insinuate yourself into situations where you are not wanted. If they don't want you, they are not worth you.
Don't tell everyone your business.
Oh, I remember these too. Standing up straight is a sign of class. ;)
ReplyDeleteRemember the panty rule? ;)
Wait. Is the panty rule the one where you have to wear clean panties in case you end up in the emergency room? Is that the one you're talking about?
DeleteYes! The very same one. You see? We're all bacically cut from the same cloth. Muahahaha!
DeleteLovely post. I tried to be the mother I never had when it came to my son. He's done really well so maybe I succeeded.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Patricia! ;)
DeleteI did the very same thing! Try my best to be the Mom I always wanted. I'm not perfect, but as you say, my children appear to have benefited from my efforts. In the end, that's all we can hope and pray for, right?
My mom always said if something's worth doing, it's worth doing right. That was usually said just before I had to rewash the dishes or redo my bed. lol
ReplyDeleteLike Stephanie, my mom always thought I could do whatever I wanted to do if I worked at it. Great post, Kathy!
Pat, I think that's one of the rules my mother stressed for us too. I remember having to redo things over and over again when I was growing up. But that taught me the value of a job well-done and personal pride in all I attempt to achieve. Perhaps that's what's lacking from many people today. Some only give 50% of themselves, making more work for everyone else. Success takes hard work and attention to detail.
DeleteI'm so glad you posted here! Thanks, Pat!!!