Mother's Day

I know this is a little long, and a little early for Mother's day, but after seeing some of you with your children and reading some of the posts about children, I thought a little early is ok. Mothers This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's alright 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. And for the mothers who lost their baby in that precious 9 months that they will never get to watch grow on earth but one day will be reunited with in Heaven! 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 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 yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens. 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 *****ad "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time." This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot. This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college. 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. Right away. This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love...sometimes totally unappreciated! For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14-year-olds dye their hair green. For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. 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? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are 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. For all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And PRAY! "Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall." Much Love, Colleen

AAAWWWW...... THANKS! Check out my profile to see my beautiful babies! They make every minute of my day worth it! Crystal

Oh Colleen that was beautiful, As I read this I began to picture the moments of sleepless nights, of my children when they were sick and the way their eyes are all aglow when they come home from school full of new knowledge. I love being a Mom and feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to have 2 beautiful children as well as a wonderful step-son that visits with us every weekend. Motherhood is definitely the hardest thing I've ever done but it is also the most rewarding. Everyday I get to reap the benefits of my struggles and sacrifices when my children say "I love you Mom, good-night". Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Robin

WAAAAAAAA!!! Colleen, that is awesome. Some of those (hell, MOST of those) are my reality. I had to smile when I read the one about "Goodnight Moon". I could recite the whole damn book from memory for years after I stopped reading it to my kids. My heart hurts every day when I think of the Moms who have lost (and will lose) their sons and daughters in Iraq and Afghanistan ... not to mention the ones lost at Virginia Tech recently. I spent lots of years thinking that motherhood was going to get "easier" when my kids grew older. HA! I'm wondering now if the "learning to let go" phase isn't the hardest part of all. It certainly has been for me. I miss my babies every single day. Beautiful post! Dawn

OK Colleen! That was so touching I am sitting here bawling my eyes out!!!! Melissa

Its really not too early, as I have shared with some of you, My parents are overseas... and I have only seen my Mom 1x since Jan of 06. I prob wont see my Mom again until sometime in 08 and this saddens me so.... BUT... we have a wonderful thing called 'email' and instant messages.... and telephones... unfortunately there is a 13 hour time difference..... but she is over there helping out needy people and I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful MOM. I got all panicky the other day because I realized I had not mailed my MOTHER'S DAY card out..and when you are in a village such as she is, you must allow a good amount of time for it to get there.... so I got it in the mail yesterday.. and i hope that it arrives in time. Actually I mailed 2 cards because I had to send a silly one and a serious one. lol. I know that some folks no longer have a mom, so I send you a special hug. For those that have yours near and dear, hug her hard and love her special. For those that are having struggles... try a little harder to understand one another. (if you can) I MISS MY MOM. Esp with all the stuff going on, but that is why I count on all of you so much, and this is when SC really doesnt feel that far to me, because my Mom is in another country and you are all..just down south and I will see you NEXT MONTH!! hugs and friendship, J.

omgosh .. *tears* that was awesome.. thanks for sharing!!! jen

that was beautiful... I'm not one to cry easy but that did it... *hugs and happy mother's day to you too sweetie* Stephie

OMGoodness Colleen: That was so wonderful, I am blowing my nose right now, and wiping tears. Thank you for sharing this. It really touched me about the part about adoptive Moms and Birth Moms. I pray for my children's birthparents every day. I am so blessed because of their most difficult loving decision for their children. By the way . . . I am a "Velcro" mom for sure! Love Ya girl! Terri

Thank you Colleen This makes me want to go home now and hugs my babies. Mary