Today is Mother’s Day. To all of you who are moms, thank you for all you do. You might not always feel like what you do makes a difference. But it does. Your job is of uttermost importance. You build up lives and launch futures.
Me and My Mom
When you pour out your life into your child, you are making an investment that will pay dividends generations from now.
I think of the things my Mom invested in me. Those things shaped me and gave me the inner resource to build a life worth living, a life that makes a difference to others.
What did my Mom give me? She gave me…
- Her loving, caring presence in my most formative years. Mom stayed at home and gave me a very nurtured childhood. She was one who fought for women’s lib and for females to have the freedom to pursue careers in the 1960’s. But when faced with the choice to work or stay home with her sons, she chose her sons. We were her career and that made all the difference. When I think back to my youngest years, my memories paint a picture of an ideal American childhood. Those early years under the constant nurture of my mother gave me an inner security on which I could never place a price tag. Not every mother has the opportunity to stay at home. Many must work and should never feel guilty for doing so. None-the-less, I am grateful to have had my mom with me throughout each day.
- Faith to believe that what I wanted to do and was gifted to do I could do. Mom believed in me. She told me this continually. She expressed great pride in me every time I did something that displayed some measure of ability. I never wondered if my mom thought I could achieve something. She was there at critical moments to express her confidence that I could to it. I don’t think I realized how important this was until I grew up and started to achieve things that really mattered. When I analyzed what made those achievements possible, my mind would journey back to things she had told me when I was younger. Thanks Mom for believing in me!
- A kick in the rear when I needed to be encouraged to try something new and engage in an adventure. I am more adventuresome now, but when I was a child I was resistant to trying new things. I remember when I was 8 or 9 years old my mom encouraging me to take a community drama class. I refused. I was scared of meeting new kids and being in front of others. We went round and round. In the end, she just said, “you are going to do it!” That experience was amazing. I got to act a little, and though I was not very good, I gained a new confidence about being in front of people. Now look at me. I get up and engage crowds each week. Thanks Mom for seeing the potential when I was not very cooperative.
- An inspiring example of how to rise above painful circumstances. In my late teens, my mother and father got a divorce. It was gut-wrenching for us all. But especially for mom. The pain for her was soul crushing. I am not saying that she always handled it well. But come on! Who could expect anyone to handle such a thing perfectly? Yet, I saw her forge a journey of self-reflection and healing that helped her rise above the pain and build a beautiful life. That taught me. I learned how life’s greatest crisis provides every person with an opportunity to choose to get bitter or to get better. She chose to get better and that gave me strength.
- Loads of encouragement throughout every phase of my life. My mom has the gift of encouragement. She has granted me her loving blessing at every phase of my life. Since I became an adult, she has let me live my life without offering much of her own direction. But she has been generous with her praise and encouragement. That was vital to me when I was young. It gave me courage and confidence. But it is still such a soul strengthening blessing even now that I am in my later forties. It just feels good when you know your mom is proud of you, even when you are all grown up. Thanks Mom!
Now listen, my mom is far from perfect. But so am I and so are you. Yet, one thing is for certain. I have been given so much from her love and presence in my life.
What about you? Maybe your mom is not perfect either, but what are those things that she gave you that made you who you are? Today, let’s thank God for those things and celebrate motherhood.
Question: What things did your mom do for you that helped to launch your life in positive ways? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
She showed me how to have empathy for others.
She was a devoted wife to my Father for more than 45 years.
Much of it was less than ideal in the early years. But still, she remained dedicated to the vows she took with him.
She encouraged us all, but didn’t force her ways upon us.
She was selfless in her care for my sister and I. She sacrificed much. And smiled while doing it.
She put everything she had into caring for my Dad for the 6 years he was chronically ill.
She gave it ALL. She made sacrifices that I’m not sure I could.
If I can be half the wife and Mother that she has been, I will feel like I accomplished it all!
Tonia, That is a powerful tribute!
What a loving tribute to one of the most amazing women I know. She mentored me at Atherton, and I learned so much about teaching from her. She is a wonderful educator (in the truest sense of the word), so it comes as no surprise that “her children rise up and call her blessed.”
Thanks for saying so!