Mother's Day brings a mixture of emotions every year for many people. Some people dread it: the obligatory card, flowers, gift, meal out, phone call. Some people feel guilty because they know they SHOULD NOT dread it. Some are sad because their mother is gone, or they have lost contact, or they never even knew her. Some feel pulled in many directions: having to honor their mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law, daughters who are mothers, daughters-in-law who are mothers, aunts, cousins … on and on. Basically, all the females in their lives! Some mothers just want to be left alone, others want to be treated like a queen for the day.
I would humbly suggest you take a few moments today to remember both the tenderness as well as the challenging times. Our mothers weren't perfect, but they did the best they could with what they knew at the time, just as we do with our own kids. Forgive her and yourself for all the perceived slights and mistakes. Feel it all: the love … the anger … the regrets. If you are lucky enough to still have her in your life … hug her … hold her in your embrace until you feel your hearts merge. Tell her how you feel … tell her your dreams … your insecurities … your doubts …
I lost my mother when I was a child. One thing I always remembered was that mothers make things fun; at least mine did. Birthdays were always a special day: she made me feel important and loved. Her birthday would have been this week … she would have been 92 … and I so wish I could repay her for all she did for me in those short years I had her around. I suspect I would be very different had she lived, but everything happens for a reason. My daughter's friend lost her mother last week; the funeral was the other day. My heart goes out to her because I know how hard it will be for her.
But on a happier note, here's my message to my kids:
Dear Kids,
Thanks for loving and respecting and honoring me. Most importantly, thanks for forgiving me for being human and screwing up as your mother once or twice. As you know, I enjoy being queen. It doesn't have to last just one day by the way! I see it as a way of life in case you didn't know that. One thing I hope you know:
You Deserve To Be Loved
So if ever I don't make you feel loved … let me know. I will adjust my attitude accordingly because we all deserve to be loved.
Also, if I embarrass you sometimes … oh well. Suck it up … it's part of my job description. I'm proud of you and I want the world to know. So there. My world is a most wonderful place because you are in it. I hope you listen to at least half of what I say … sometimes I do say things worth hearing. I want you to want to be around me … not out of a sense of obligation but a sense of love and knowing I only and always want the best for you.
Love you always,
Mom
I would humbly suggest you take a few moments today to remember both the tenderness as well as the challenging times. Our mothers weren't perfect, but they did the best they could with what they knew at the time, just as we do with our own kids. Forgive her and yourself for all the perceived slights and mistakes. Feel it all: the love … the anger … the regrets. If you are lucky enough to still have her in your life … hug her … hold her in your embrace until you feel your hearts merge. Tell her how you feel … tell her your dreams … your insecurities … your doubts …
I lost my mother when I was a child. One thing I always remembered was that mothers make things fun; at least mine did. Birthdays were always a special day: she made me feel important and loved. Her birthday would have been this week … she would have been 92 … and I so wish I could repay her for all she did for me in those short years I had her around. I suspect I would be very different had she lived, but everything happens for a reason. My daughter's friend lost her mother last week; the funeral was the other day. My heart goes out to her because I know how hard it will be for her.
But on a happier note, here's my message to my kids:
Dear Kids,
Thanks for loving and respecting and honoring me. Most importantly, thanks for forgiving me for being human and screwing up as your mother once or twice. As you know, I enjoy being queen. It doesn't have to last just one day by the way! I see it as a way of life in case you didn't know that. One thing I hope you know:
You Deserve To Be Loved
So if ever I don't make you feel loved … let me know. I will adjust my attitude accordingly because we all deserve to be loved.
Also, if I embarrass you sometimes … oh well. Suck it up … it's part of my job description. I'm proud of you and I want the world to know. So there. My world is a most wonderful place because you are in it. I hope you listen to at least half of what I say … sometimes I do say things worth hearing. I want you to want to be around me … not out of a sense of obligation but a sense of love and knowing I only and always want the best for you.
Love you always,
Mom
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