It’s Mother’s Day 2014 and I am in
a very different place than I was even a year ago but a much different place
than I was several years ago. For the first time in years I was excited about
Mother’s Day again. However, I have always had the misconception that Mother’s
Day was to be set aside to honor “me” once I became a mom. In so much that I
thought like others that I would have a day of no work. Someone would do all
the things that I normally do to make the universe operate and I would get the
day “off duty”. Well, I got a dose of reality today and finally learned my
lesson that Mother’s Day really isn’t the all about “me” show.
Don’t get me wrong, my children did
honor me in their own way as best as a 5 and 8 year old can without assistance
from adults. I awoke very early to my oldest ushering me downstairs to
breakfast. She served me fresh cut, washed, and sugar added strawberries with a
bowl of Special K and a cup of milk. It was precious and delicious. I was quite
impressed with her skills and delivery. Then I was met with the gifts that each
girl had made at school with the help of their teachers. They were sweet and
funny. Kaitlyn’s card was accompanied with bath salt so I could take a relaxing
soak. Kyleigh’s card was an interview about mommy where she described me as an
eight year old that likes the color pink and weighs 55 pounds. J
I had posted earlier on Facebook
that I only wanted peace in my home for Mother’s Day. That came crashing down
about 5 minutes post breakfast when my children stayed true to their little
personalities and started the sibling arguments right away. So, the idea of
taking off the “mommy cape” for the day just doesn’t work when there is no one
around to jump in and referee for you. So of course, I was on duty. I was reminding
them to “treat others the way you want to be treated” and “make wise choices”
while all at the same time cleaning up the Mother’s Day breakfast dishes and
mess created from cutting up the lovely strawberries.
We made it to church and I really
enjoyed the message today on worship and centering your mind on worship. For
weeks now I have had to really focus on calming the brute beast (Psm 73:22) in
me when I get angry as the kids are in the midst of a tantrum or meltdown. It
is so easy for me to get caught up in trying to fix it for them or stop their
behavior that I get upset too. Instead, I am trying to learn to just let the
Holy Spirit guide me to remain calm, remove myself from the situation, and
regain my composure. I am much more effective and a better mommy when I am a
“beauty” and not a “beast” as shared by our lovely Pastor’s wife this morning.
After church the girls and I headed
to spend the afternoon with my mom. We had a great lunch. My mom had pre-fixed
most of the meal so all that was necessary was to warm it up today. That’s when
I also realized, “hey she didn’t get the day off duty either”. I mean my dad
did help her in the kitchen because he always does as he is a great man but she
still had to cook. Then she and I cleaned up after the meal was over. So a
mother, no matter who they are or which stage of life, ever really gets to go
totally “off duty”. We spent some time
outside blowing bubbles and giggling and just having fun. Some of us even
caught a small nap, but I won’t mention any names.
The girls and I headed home and
then we finished up Kaitlyn’s homework. That is work for me too! She has to
have me sit with her one-on-one and sometimes it can be brutal. By this point I
had truly let go of my thoughts on today being all about “me”. This day was
about my children, family time, and memories. But isn’t that what every day of
the year is about. So I am going to try not to get caught up in the fact that
today didn’t meet the expectations of a dream world Mother’s Day where I was
doted on all day long for the endless things I do to keep the universe in order
for my family. Instead, I am going to be grateful for the blessings in my life,
for my family, friends, church, and my amazing children.
To Kaitlyn,
I love you because you are kind and
sensitive and your strong spirit will serve you well one day. My prayer for you
is that you find the confidence in yourself to stand strong and be courageous.
You are clothed in strength and dignity and you laugh without fear of the
future because you are strong. Prov 31:25
To Kyleigh,
I love you
because you are my miracle child. You are my fighter and this spirit and will
to press onward will serve you well one day. My prayer for you is that you find
a way to show your softer side to others. You seek out ways to be kind and
loving to the world. For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things. 1 Cor 13:7
To all Mothers,
Happy
Mother’s Day!
Psalm 127:3 Children are a gift from God
Crystal
