Mother’s Day
Mother’s day came and went and I felt less appreciated than I have in a long time. I made dinner & got cards from Kaden, Maeli & Justin.
The cards were really funny and I got a good laugh. I always like a funny card that brings a smile to my face – I have never been one for sappy love cards – just not my style.
We went to church & I did laundry.. yep just another day, nothing special about it. I felt really down about the whole day in general. I started on my own self pity party this morning wondering why one of my step daughters didn’t even acknowledge it was mother’s day to me & the reality of having to fix my own dang dinner!! I started wondering why we celebrate these lame holidays?? Is it so I can get my free flower at church and pretend that life is hunky dorie & that I just “LOVE” being a mother? Is it so I can go to work and hear each of my co workers RAVE about what their husbands & children did for them?? What is it all about?
Motherhood is by far one of the hardest, toughest jobs I have ever done. Twice as hard being a step mother.
I heard a quote that made me think a little about my own mother it said:
“You are never truely a mother until you quit criticizing how your mother raised you” WOW… powerful words huh?
So I didn’t get all the fluff and commercialism of mother’s day. I may have not been acknowledged how I thought I should be but I did get to recognize a few things today.
My love and appreciation for my mother has grown. She had no clue how to be a mother but she learned as she went. Just as I am. She did the best she knew how with what she had.
I wonder how many mother’s days over her lifetime that she walked away feeling “Less appreciated” and what did I do for her to make her feel more appreciated?
How many tears were shed over me when I didn’t do what she wanted me to do or because I had hurt her feelings?
How many times did she tell me that she loved me but I didn’t hear it because I was to busy being a rebellious teenager?
How many dance recitals, parent teacher conferences, track meets, 1/2 time performances, dentist visits, doctor’s visits & church events did she sit through for ME?
How much money did she fork out over the years for me to enjoy life?
How many times did I turn my nose up at something she was excited about?
How many times did she come to my rescue & pick me up when I couldn’t even pick myself up?
How many times has she tended my children, cleaned my house, sewed for me & made dinner for me?
How many times has she prayed for me?
Although I got on my pity party this morning I realized that it isn’t always about ME!! I am sure I was a snot to my mom and if you asked her she would probably say that there are still times that I can be snotty. But I want my mom to know that I get it now!!
I love you mom & thank you for all you have done for me over my lifetime!
I also recognized that even though the day wasn’t how I wanted it to be that those little rug rats of mine do love me and someday they too will “get it”
Happy Belated Mother’s day everyone!
7 Comments
tiff snedaker
I feel dumb about my post I just posted because I guess you could say it was “commercial”
Thanks for posting this Ave. I think sometimes we get caught up in the small petty things that bother us and forget to let mom know how much we love and appreciate her, and fail to appreciate just how much she has done for us and still does for us.
I really appreciate your insight. Love you sis.
Miss ~E
Thanks for the “Real” post. And for the record, I think Mother’s Day is a big Guilt trip. For sure it is not always what it is cracked up to be. Every day should be Mother’s Day because we work our hineys (sP?) off doing one of the thankless jobs around. But on the flip side it is one of the biggest privleges and most rewarding jobs ever! What a Crazy Beautiful life, aye? Much Love ~E
Michele
Great post! Sorry you didn’t have the best day yesterday, but it appears in a bad sort of way some good came out of it. Sometimes it seems like we have to go through that.
LIFE IS GOOD!
Here it is Monday night and back from Sun Valley and reading everyone’s post. And yes crying right now. Thanks so much Avry. Saturday night dad decided to go rent a movie and so Geoff and he ran into Rigby. They brought back flowers and a card (plus dad had made me a planter box for vegetables). The movie was one that Geoff had picked out on climbing and I am thinking wheres the Chick flick but it was really good about a blind man climbing Mt. Everest. We left for SV Sunday at 2:30 and I hadn’t heard from anyone. I noticed email on my phone and saw the post from you on face book, then one from Clint, Lia and Tiffany. I thought ok this is the way everyone communicates and they did remember. Then Jason called from Atlanta as he was getting ready to take off. Then Tiffany. Jeralee and you called while we were at dinner. I called Jeralee back but it was 10:00 when I was going to call and knew you had work and get up early. I was feeling really good that I got calls from everyone.
I have always said your kids can give you your greatest heartache, but then they give you your greatest joy. Right now my cup is over flowing. Thanks again and I love you.
Tiffany don’t feel dumb I know you ALL LOVE ME!
Sara
I think it really takes being a mom before we fully appreciate our own moms! Thank goodness we have good moms to draw strength from huh!
angie
What a good reminder to appreciate our own mothers! Good post, Avry!
Aurelia
Great post!