“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 ESV
Happy 50th Mother’s Day Mom!
Today is my Mom’ fiftieth Mother’s day. Being the oldest I have been there for all of them. So I feel that at the very least I am an expert in why my Mom is number 1. I am confident many of us think that about our mothers. Here is my list, how does it compare with yours?
I came out of my Mother’s tummy. Without her no me or four younger brothers. For those who are adopted, including my kids, there is no difference. Our moms would give their lives for us from the moment we came into their world.
My mom makes great afghans. Mine is wrapped around me as I write. They are crocheted by hand. That meant little to me when I was younger- know I know better. My mom has gracefully aged and has hands that ache. Yet she would make me another afghan in a second if I asked. Love is giving something of yourself that costs you. No cost- no love. My mother has shown and taught me that.
My mom is a shepherd. She is the gatherer of her sheep (Yes I just called myself a sheep). Moms, including mine, keep their flock together. This is a task that men often don’t appreciate and/or understand. The effort to accomplish this goes unrecognized. Am I being vague? If you’re a mom your answer is no.
My parents have been married for over 50 years. They have both given me the blessing of seeing how a good marriage should work. We learn by observing. My parents’ marriage hasn’t been perfect; fifty years will do that. But I have watched their resilience and continued love. Now if I could only apply that lesson to my own life 🙂
I am my Mom (and Dad). As we grow we can see pieces of ourselves that come from our parents. My Mom is the smartest person I know. I’d like to think I got some of that from her. There are other blessing I have received from my mom. Not all are genetically acquired. The environment our parents put us in also forms us. I talked to a teen today who likes shopping for shoes. Silly as that is it is something her Mom likes to do, and now her daughter does as well. My mom loves board games. I have played games with her for about 45 years now. A piece of her has become a piece of me. The number of those pieces are too numerous to count.
My Mom and Dad are still here. Few of my friends can say that. For that I am grateful. We need to cherish what time we have together.
Sons and daughters do things that hurt their parents that are beyond forgiving. I know I am guilty of that. Many of us are. Yet my mom, and yours, forgives. And perhaps that ability to put the past behind is another piece of my mom that can become a part of me.
Perseverance. Anyone who survives motherhood for 50 years deserves a reward. We all need to realize how tough of a job it is. Studies show the average stay at home mom puts in 90+ hours a week. There are no sick days, no vacations. The pay is the joy of seeing your kids grow up. Then the heartache of letting them go. A journey more than a job. And I am proud and grateful that I took the journey with my Mom.
How about your Mom? I love to hear about her in my comment section.
God Bless,
Mark
Docmarks Place's Blog 