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Sunday is Mother’s Day, and for those that are blessed to have our Mother’s with us, hopefully, we’ve made plans for a visit, dropped off a card in the mailbox, or set aside some time to place that special phone call today.
For some of us, it came too fast, and we will be heading to the nearest grocery store to pick up some flowers, a card, and if we know what’s right, some chocolate cake.
Today some of us are struggling to keep a smile on our faces with our hearts feeling so heavy with loss because today we are only left with memories of our mothers or warm thoughts of the children that made us mothers.
Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash
For some, the sting of the loss is so fresh, that we were barely able to get up out of bed today, while others of us stayed in bed for just a few more moments as we tried desperately to recall the memories because the loss was so long ago. We’re afraid that we are forgetting.
Today some mothers are requesting a day of self-care, away from the people who call them mom because they just need a single second to themselves.
Others are in the waiting. They are standing on God’s word that soon, they too will be mothers.
The Dictionary says the Medical definition for mother is: the female parent, while another lists it as maternal tenderness or affection.
And yet another definition listed is the one I like best. It reads: acting as or providing a parental framework — and used without reference to any gender.
So what exactly makes a mother you ask? Here’s a little story I came up with called “It Takes A Village.”
Once upon a time, there was a little boy. Immediately after he was born, his parents recognized that he was no ordinary boy. It was clear to them that he was an extraordinary child. His parents began to teach him all they could to prepare him for his remarkable life. One day the parents realized that he was so impressive that they alone could not teach him all of the things he would need to know, so they introduced him to his Grandparents.
Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, and even the Great-Great Grandmothers. His grandmothers taught him about love, the love of chocolate, Coca-Cola, and of course, unconditional love. They showed him tenderness, taught selflessness, and wisdom beyond his years.
Photo by Juan Pablo Arenas from Pexels
Next, his parents introduced him to his Grandfathers, who taught him more about love but added joy, laughter, and long adventurous walks. They taught him how to find joy in the journey and not just the destination.
All of his grandparents showered him with gifts for both his amusement and for the spiritual growth of his soul. His parents were pleased, but still saw the need for more of life’s lessons, so they introduced him to his Uncles.
His great and great-great uncles included. Together they taught him a new kind of love along with many of life’s treasures. They would stop by after work and pick him up for a quick ride to the candy store. Some taught him about remote control cars and laser tag. While others taught him how to shake hands. Life with the uncles was filled with fishing, stargazing, video games, and even included a mock jury trial. It was good: but still, he needed more. So the parents brought in the Aunts!
Together the Aunties loved him, supported him, showered him with gifts, providing a form of peace and compassion, and helped make fun opportunities available by giving financially. They smiled at him with love in their eyes, and he smiled back, feeling every ounce of it. The parents were pleased, but agreed, he needed more. So they introduced the Cousins.
Cousins taught him about friendships, more love, and more laughter. Cousins introduced him to chicken, Blue’s Clues, Cub Scouts, and they became his first playmates. The parents were delighted with the cousins and decided that he needed constant companionship, and so they gave him siblings.
Siblings taught him more patience, trust, respect, caring, sharing, and of course, more love. The days with siblings were spent fighting dragons, exploring the wild jungles, singing, dancing, and confiding the innermost thoughts, while knowing his secrets would be kept. He was happy. While he learned all about character and morals, the parents decided he needed more, so they introduced him to his church family.
His church family offered advice, showered him with love and gifts. They took special attention to his needs and fed him spiritually while continuing to pray for him daily. They exchanged warm smiles in passing, handshakes that met with unspoken affection, and hugs that transferred a love like no other. His spiritual leaders taught him that even though they are human and may fall short sometimes, they would always be there to pick him up when the same might happen to him.
His parents also introduced school teachers. His teachers taught him about Big Ben, math, language arts, and the love of art history. They taught him music, songs, and how to play the trumpet exceptionally well. They put him in school plays, showered him with compassion and kindness. As he got older, the teachers continued to guide him, befriend him, and gave him a reason to enjoy going to school. The teachers were remarkable, and together they developed a scholar.
While the young man in this story is still growing and learning and making more independent choices, he is using all of these gifts that were acquired by not just his parents or the woman who gave birth to him, but by every person in a leadership role. The people that are acting as or providing the parental framework. So I just want to let you know that even though you may not have physically given birth to anyone, you are still taking on that role. Don’t deceive yourself. You are a Mother. You are a Father; you are a Teacher, a Brother, a Sister, Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent, Church Member. You are making a difference in helping guide others as they grow. So I say to each and every one of you. Happy Mother’s Day.
What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them!