Mothers Day 2014

Tomorrow is the official Mothers Day. But we all know that is everyday if you have children. Caring moms celebrate little moments at random. Chubby hands that reach for you in sleep, a one tooth smile, mama, the phone call that starts "Mom", and the list of special times goes on.
Mothers have special skills that are characteristic to women only. They can listen to numerous levels of conversations and demands at once. While tying shoes or changing diapers. Then they have the patience to answer each request. Sometimes it is in a calm tone and sometimes not. Moms don't have to be angels. Their hormones wont let them.
Mothers know all the answers. Just ask a question and they will tell you everything about the subject. Examples are used and follow up happens. When a child asks, "how do you make people?", you can explain sexual reproduction or show them how to draw a person which is what they really wanted to begin with. They want you to be well informed for life.
Mothers are several steps ahead of the rest of the family. For trips, they pack extra clothes (even a shirt for dad), always have a band aid or snack in their purse, and sense when their child doesn't feel well. Moms know how to get to the guilty party in a fight. They can distract whiny or unhappy children by changing the direction of interest or subject.
Mothers are entertainers, nurses, doctors, chauffeurs, peacekeepers, encyclopedias and the endless source of life supplies. All this on top of being wives, employees, gardeners, financial planners, cooks, vacation planners, travel navigators, and family calendars. My dream vacation is having it all planned for me-even someone packing my bags.
A mother shares her belief in God and teaches a child to pray when afraid, desperate, lonely, and thankful for goodness and beauty. And to rejoice and trust in His love.

As children age, they need to pull away from Mom to gain independence and learn how to live on their own. This can be a painful, antagonistic time and can go on for years. It is hard for Moms to let go and realize that they are needed in different ways. You no longer have all the answers. You're not even asked. A mother needs to make a new place for herself. Be an advisor. Be comfort. Be a babysitter. Do not be a bank.  Do not tell them how to raise their children. They still remember the mistakes you made on them. Admire and celebrate and comfort your children's success and failure. Show them by your example that life will go on. Be available when they need you. Children always come home again.

When your children have left the nest, that is a good time to go back and celebrate life with your own aging Mother. NOW that you have made the journey yourself, you can understand her struggle to raise all those children.