Friday, May 12, 2006

In Honor of Mothers

This is my mom Judy at age 44, with my daughters. She died later that year suba diving.
This is Dave's mom Ruth at 82. She raised six kids and we will be spending Mother's Day with her.

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up puke laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football , hockey or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our are thoughts for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers..

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. (Author Unknown)

Happy Mother's Day! See you next Tuesday :)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your post babe,it brings a tear to your eye.I know you were a good mom by the words you write.wish I could have seen you raising them when you were healthier.You are luck you look alot like your mom instead of your dad.(LOL).Nothing in the world to make you feel good like a mom.
Really liked the part about all they do for us when we are little.Just think for a minute where we would be without them.We would still be going to the bathroom in our pants and throwing our food at the table and crawling around on the floor.Love you...Dave

Bedazzzled1 said...

It was so nice to see the pictures of your mother and Dave's. How sad that your mother passed away at such a very young age. I am sure she left some wonderful memories for you to pull up to feel close to her.

Enjoy your time with Dave's mom. She is a cutie!

And a Happy Mother's Day to YOU!

Love you~
Nikki

Chris said...

Wow. I got all choked up reading this and seeing your great pictures. I certainly don't know your mom but I had a strong feeling of her presence. (I do that sometimes!). Very nicely put my friend. And Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

TJ said...

Wow! Thanks..

Chris said...

This was beautiful Tammy. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Happy Mother's Day

Chris
My Blog

Jod{i} said...

Wow Tammy...This beautifully written!

Happy Mother's Day!

Peace
Jodi

tara dawn said...

What a touching tribute to all the mothers out there in this world. And a very sincere, heartfelt belated happy Mother's Day to you. You are one of the dearest and most special mothers I know...thank you for sharing your wisdom and beauty with me.
I love you,
Tara Dawn

emmapeelDallas said...

Tammy,

I love this, and it is such a beautiful tribute to moms everywhere. I hope you had a great Mother's Day. You are truly a terrific mother, and a terrific friend.

XO

Judi

Jessie said...

What an incredible tribute to mothers! I feel like I learned something about motherhood just in reading this! There is much love in these words.

:)

DEREK said...

I forgot to wish you a Happy Mother's Day, hope yours was wonderful!