Today is Mothers’ Day, the one day each year we set aside to honor the lady we undervalue the other 364. Today is the day we remember the person who made our hurts better, explained our homework, cooked our meals, washed our clothes, drove us where we needed to go, warned us about our less-savory acquaintances, embarrassed us in front of our friends, and did her best to point us down the straight line of a moral and upright life.
A few days ago I found this humorous riff on how we look at our Mothers at different ages:
Age 4: Mommy can do anything!
Age 8: Mom knows a lot!
Age 12: Mother doesn't know everything.
Age 14: Mother doesn't know anything.
Age 16: Mother is so old-fashioned.
Age 18: Her? She's out of it.
Age 25: Mom might know something about that.
Age 35: Before we decide, let's ask Mom.
Age 45: What would Mom have thought about that?
Age 65: I wish I could talk that over with Mom.
It’s true.
My mother passed away in 2001 at the age of 74. She spent a long and honorable life raising four children who, I like to think, made her proud. And in her twilight years, her once-formidable mind ravaged by Alzheimer’s Disease, she missed much of the result of her love and care and sacrifice – a son who finally knows how to dance (and who may yet write that book she thought he had in him), and four beautiful great-grandchildren who will never know her love and wisdom and the off-the-wall sense of humor that brightened the lives of those who knew her.
The next generation of Mothers has taken over. My beloved daughter Yasmin and the best daughter-in-law in the world, Tabitha, are raising the world’s four greatest grandchildren. And someday Marcy and Joe, Noah and Leya will sit down on Mothers’ Day and reflect – just as their grandpa does today – on the marvelous lady who gave up so much of her own life and dreams to make them who they are.
Take the time today to honor your Mother. Someday, you’ll wish you had.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
Bilbo
This is a wonderful post about Mother's Day. I had scattered thoughts in my own brain that just couldn't come together for my own Mother's Day post. I'm glad to have read this beautiful one.
ReplyDeleteThis was in Dear Abby yesterday, a Hebrew prayer:
ReplyDelete"I remember thee in this solemn hour, my dear mother. I remember the days when thou didst dwell on earth, and they tender love watched over me like a guardian angel. Thou hast gone from me, but the bond which unites our souls can never be severed; thine image lives within my heart. May the merciful Father reward thee for the faithfulness and kindness thou hast ever shown me; may he lift up the light of his countenance upon thee and grant thee eternal peace!"
This brought tears--I lost my Mom in 2002 and don't have regrets or unsaid things, but this was just a lovely thought I knew you'd appreciate since it's clear you dearly loved and miss your Mom.
Tell you wife happy mother's day for me. Right now mom and I are wishing we had grandma.
ReplyDeleteWell you know how I thought I had 16 hours left to buy that mothers day gift? Well I stretched it out to 20 hours with just in time delivery.
ReplyDelete