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Children have a naive view of the world. Or they should, anyway. What I didn't realize at that young age, was just how tough it is to be a Mom... Moms make sacrifices no child can fully comprehend. I'm so grateful for my mother's...
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She cooked for us. Not all homemade, from scratch meals... but we almost always had dinner together... without the television on. We actually talked to each other about our day, and the others cared enough to listen.
She cleaned for us. She kept our home clean and in working order. If there were times our home was unkempt, it didn't stay that way for long. Several times I remember family dropping by unannounced, only to find that, yet again, our house was as it should be.
She cared for us. True love is shown when you put the needs of others before your own... without hesitation. At the risk of becoming ill herself, Mom diligently watched over us while we fought off all sorts of sicknesses. Pretty big risk considering: who takes care of a mother when she's sick? When we were sad, she was there to lift us up with a hug and an encouraging word. If we were scared, she was our comforter.
She went without. Mom came from a family of seven children. Most of her clothes were handed down from siblings or friends... so with her first job came a new wardrobe and eventually, a cute little car. When she had me, priorities shifted. She stopped buying stylish clothes in favor of more 'sensible' clothing. Her car was sold in favor of a more "family friendly" one.
She was there. I knew I was never alone. Simple as that.
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In my eyes, I have all my young heart once desired. I'll probably never know everything my mother went through for me... all the sacrifices made. I'm grateful for her, and am so blessed to call her, "Mom." She was... and is... the mother I've always hoped to be.
Thank you Mom, for everything... only you will truly know what that means.
Beautiful, Megan! I have tears in my eyes...partly for my mother, and yes, because being a good mother is not easy! ...and it is so easy it seems, to assume I am a failure! Today you encourage me to 'keep on keeping on'.
ReplyDeleteThank-you.
p.s. We have four children. Emily 19, Melissa 17, Matthew 13, and Victoria 10. Occasionally photos appear on my blog...with their permission, of course:))!
You're welcome Janet! Sometimes when I feel like a failure, I remember something I heard a psychology instructor say... "As a parent, you do the best you can with what you know at the time." Always helps me to keep everything in perspective :)
ReplyDeleteI love the names of your children... I was almost an 'Emily'! My two are Olivia 5, and Zachary 4. It's a big year, because Olivia starts kindergarten! I'm looking forward to a little one-on-one time with Zachary too :)
Thank-you...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post on motherhood. I see my wife Anne in your thoughts. When Anne was shopping with our 6 year old Abby, Anne will come home beaming and so full of joy to see our little girl wearing a new favorite dress. As her husband, I notice (again) that she did not buy for herself. Anne's joy was fullfilled in seeing her little daughter so happy over her new clothes. I say nothing over her decision to forget self, but instead choose to share in my wife's joy over seeing our little one so happy.
ReplyDeleteAugust, you're welcome! Your comment made me smile... oh, how I have been there! I love how you choose to share in your wife's joy instead of asking why she didn't buy something for herself. Thanks for stopping by... have a great day & weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute.
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