Tomorrow is the one holiday I think the whole world can get behind and see just how alike we all are. Its no wonder that the early beginnings of Mother's Day in America started as acts of pacifism against war. Every mother hurts when a soldier, son or daughter dies. I would argue motherhood is the oldest profession in the world and not prostitution, but if you disagree, we can have a hearty debate about it some other time. Tomorrow we celebrate women who have given birth to the next generation. We honor their sacrifices, praise their achievements and forgive their shortcomings. However you choose to celebrate this day with your mother, and other mother's in your life, its not about how much money you spend on a gift (I got my mom a new blender with a glass pitcher...a practical but exactly what she wants and needs), its about letting the moms of the world know that you haven't taken them for granted.
As a mom I make sure the kids eat first, then I serve myself. In some parts of the world this same strategy is used, except there is not always food left for mom. As a mom I have forgone buying myself new things like shoes or books to make sure I had enough money to get birthday presents or school supplies. Some mothers work all day away from their children to have enough money to send their children to a neighboring city to attend school, in hopes that someday they will not have to work so hard for the same things. As a mom I have gone without sleep many nights looking after a sick child, consoling them after a nightmare, or pacing at a window wondering when they were coming home. Some mothers fear for their childrens' safety every night and walk for hours a day to take them somewhere safe. My sacrifices seem insignificant compared to many others.
I chose to have children and take full responsibility for their care. Its a hard job. We don't get paid vacation or health benefits, and good luck finding a replacement if you need time off. Not every woman is cut out to be a mom and some do not figure that out until after they have become one. I have seen other animals shun or even kill members of their packs or herds if they are poor mothers. maybe they fail to protect their offspring or it seems their natural instincts to nurture and feed their young never got switched on, but whatever it is the others can sense it and see her as dead weight. I would like to think as the most intelligent form of life on the planet, that we know of, that we could do a little better.
Can you think of a way for us to help the mothers who maybe started their journey too soon? What about the moms who lacked a good mothering role model and seem to be winging it the best they can? There are moms who have suffered tragedies, moms who have had cancer, mothers who were beaten, and moms who have lost a child. I hope on Monday, after we have taken the time to honor our own mothers, we can turn our energy towards helping other moms here and abroad. I think I will start right now with a text message to my best friend. She needs to hear how awesome she is as a mom; all moms want to hear that, so she will hear it from me. Now on Monday who knows what I will come up with: Ronald McDonald house helps families stay close when kids are sick, or I could visit the Women for Women in Africa website to see what I can do for them, or maybe I'll donate needed items to a local women's shelter (like toys for the kids and clothes for the women who sometimes leave in the middle of the night with nothing). I'm sure you'll think of something brilliant, because moms are some of the msartest people I know. Happy Mother's Day.
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