When Mother’s Day isn’t what it’s cracked up to be
May 7, 2008 | family
My good friend, Allison, shared this on her Boomer Babes Rock blog today:
“I was recently in a meeting with a group of dynamic authors and speakers. One of them asked for feedback on a Mother’s Day message she was giving. She wanted to keep her presentation upbeat and exciting. I could understand that. She was focusing on all the mothers who were going to have a lovely day. Yet, when I asked her the following question, I could immediately see that I threw her a curve ball.
What about the mothers in the audience whose hearts are breaking because they may have lost a child, or their child is in bondage to an addiction, or, like my son, might be in prison?”
Allison has asked a great question. Perhaps the thought of the Mother’s Day is a hard day for you. If it is, I pray that you’ll feel this mom reaching out and wrapping her arms around you today and praying with you. Sometimes parenting is the most joyful, or the most painful, of experiences.
Perhaps the problem is not your relationship with your child, but with your mom. It’s difficult to celebrare if you have or had a mother who is addicted, neglectful, abusive, or just doesn’t match the mother that seems to exist in Hallmark Cards.
If either of these are the case this weekend, I pray that you celebrate a little differently. Look around you and celebrate what you do have. You may not have the mother you wish you did, but are you a parent to a beautiful infant who trails her finger down your face while nursing, or a toddler that climbs in your lap and fiercely hug your neck?
Maybe your teen is a work in progress, but do you have a spouse that thinks your sexy even after child #3?
Do you have friends that love you?
Do you have a church family that is loyal and supportive?
Do you have grandparents that adore you?
Do you have a Heavenly Father that has your name imprinted on the palm of his hand? (Yes, you do.)
I can’t answer yes to all of these. Most people can’t. If you are one of the lucky few, you are blessed. Though I can’t say yes to all of them, I can clearly see beyond the “no’s” to the giant checkmark beside the yes’s.
Celebrating in spite of what we don’t have isn’t to minimize the challenge. It doesn’t remove the hurt or the wish that things were different, but it does allow you to enjoy the gifts in your life. It shifts your perspective.
So, Happy Mother’s Day to each of you. May your day be full and joy-filled.
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Thank you so much for being Mama Suzie to me! I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day. I am so proud of my adopted family!
D
May 7th, 2008 at 11:15 pm