This morning at church I was talking to one of the 6th grade girls who helps teach Sunday School. She was kind of bummed that it was Mother’s Day. I’ve never known a child to actually voice the fact that they don’t really care for Mother’s Day, so I asked her why it was such an extraordinarily miserable day. She started running through the list of all the things her Mother wanted for Mother’s Day. It started with her and her sister cleaning the house yesterday. Then they made breakfast this morning. And they were scheduled for yard work this afternoon along with laundry.
Bummer. I think I’d hate Mother’s Day too.
Realizing that some Moms use this special day as a teachable, ah-ha kind of moment to gain some appreciation from their kids for the physical labor that comes with the job description, I did some super-fast soul-searching to figure out what I want this day to mean both to me and ChellBell.
Mother’s Day for me is a normal day. Dishes are cleared from the dishwasher, a lunch will still need to be packed for school tomorrow, hair will be inspected to ensure that it is shampoo-free, and bedtime stories will still need to be read. All of those things are things I signed up for as a Mom. I don’t get a kitchen pass from being a Mom on Mother’s Day. Honestly, I wouldn’t want one.
Being a work-outside-the-home Mom, I don’t get enough time with Chell, so Mother’s Day is all about hanging out with her. Chris kind of feels like it’s Father’s Day because he gets “alone” time! It’s a day where I can tell ChellBell a million times or more why I love being her Mom. I can show her that she is my best little friend and that I love spending time with her. It’s a day for me to remember how blessed I am to be a Mom, even though my hips are wider, my patience is smaller, and our bank balance lower.
It’s a day to return as much love to my Mom as I can, now that I finally understand the love she has for me, a love strong enough to trump the frustration I undoubtedly brought her over the years.
It’s a day to soak in the absolute gift of loving so much, knowing that it will never be returned in full.
And knowing that given the chance, I wouldn’t have it any differently.
I LOVE this!! And, I absolutely agree.....that's why I spent Mother's Day with all 3 of my boys at a Rice Baseball game. I figure, if it wasn't for them, I would have no reason at all to celebrate the day so we might as well do something that's fun for all. Now, at 11:00 p.m. with the close of Mother's Day just one hour away, I can look back on a day filled with sunburns, home runs, greasy burgers, and smelly boys. It was absolutely perfect!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you guys!! Matt asked me what I wanted to do for Mother's Day and I said, "spend it with you guys!". So Morganne & I played Sing It High School Musical Wii (she kicked my butt) and we watched a movie together and cuddled all day. It was HEAVEN in my book!!
ReplyDeleteHappy late mother's day!!
~Becca
I love your post. Last year, we went to a county rec center that has a little water park for kids. It was so much fun. This year I did use the day for my advantage though and asked Chris to do some painting as his gift to me. I spent the whole day (except for church and naptime) playing with the kids and trying to keep them out of the paint. It was a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts...so true.
ReplyDeletegreat post! I heard of a group of girls going on a girls trip the weekend of Mothers day and I was appalled. I want to be with my babies on that day....
ReplyDeleteI did get a nap in though...well sort of. I love how you call her chellbell.
Christie, I always cry through your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour Dad asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him I didn't need anything. He asked what I wanted. I couldn't even think of anything I wanted, yet I got it...to spend fun
time with my family. Everyday life is a gift, especially when there is relationship in the family.
You know I have always hated those cards that say, "Although I never say it...!" And I want to yell, "Go ahead and say it, say it, say it
...every day, say it!" And you do say it...to your child, your husband, your parents. Thank you for demonstrating love in ways far greater than words can express.
I have seen how you and your sister have grown into beautiful ladies, and I don't know how that happened with me as a mother. Then I realize I had little to do with it, other than spending much time on my knees talking to your Father, and with the guidance of your earthly father...plus asking for forgiveness often.
I made all the mistakes a parent can make...
and not just once. I still question God, asking why YOU were not the mother and me, the child. I learn so much about Godly mothering from you. And actually as I see you and Cella together, I think I would like to start over again and have another chance. (Easier to say at my age than to do!) You are a wonderful Mom.
I remember the day you were a little older than Cella, and you wanted to know if you could ask me a question without hurting my feelings. I began to cry out to God for wisdom even before I heard the question. You asked, "Mom, when I grow up, do I have to be like you?" I knew it was "one of those impact moments," and God did give me wisdom. I remember saying, "Yes, honey, you have to be like me. You have to love the Lord with all your heart. Other than that, you don't have to be like me at all." You smiled and said,
"Wow. Thanks Mom." I didn't know if I had won or lost...but I knew that was the right answer.
You are so unlike me in so many ways...And that is a complement, filled with much joy and gratitude. You have "improved" life and broken the generational "stuff." You have taken some of the good things of your Dad's and my life and have improved them and added to them. That is exciting to watch.
When I was growing up, I didn't know you could love your children, much less LIKE them. Heck,
I didn't even know you could like yourself. And when you and your sister showed me love, it overwhelmed me and taught me about God Himself. You still do. And I doubt that Cella will ever question the love of God because she sees it daily in you and Chris. I love that.
You truly are a delight. I need nothing else. I actually don't even want anything...my life is so blessed. I understand grace! And I love calling you my friend!
Mom
Wow!! I don't know what else to say........you are blessed to have a mom who feels all those things, and she is just as blessed to have you. I feel like I've been eavesdropping in on a private discussion. I guess it's ok.....I'm kinda like family, right??
ReplyDeleteLove you both!!