For Mother's Day

I was in church today and there was a mention about Mary and all that she endured. This reminded me of everything I have been thinking concerning motherhood while in Brussels and I decided to share. Somehow I jumped from the ‘marriage stage’ directly to the ‘baby stage’ in just one 8-hour flight from Atlanta to Brussels. Nearly every person we know over here has at least one child, and is most likely pregnant with the next. Kyle and I feel fortunate to get to see and appreciate the development of each child, but then also be able to go home when the real screaming starts! Through this time spent with the various parents and children, I have become more and more appreciative and in awe of every mother I know.

I had never seemed to notice before the way mothers know their child’s every need and how all of their time and energy is spent devoted to their child, with the occasional uninterrupted bathroom break for themselves. From the pregnancy, which sounds rough, to the actual birth, which sounds REALLY rough, I am just amazed by mothers, and I don’t think they always get enough credit.

Having babysat for many, many years I am always a bit saddened to think that I spend so much time trying to create a meaningful experience for a child which they probably will never remember. For instance, out of all the amazing things my mom did for me growing up, my most vivid childhood memories of her are:
--Letting Brooke Wells and me wear her old pink prom dress to play dress up.
--Helping me to stand on the chair at our Parkside Circle house with a little apron around me and rolling molasses cookies in sugar.
--Making fake tombstones for my seventh-grade Halloween party that we had in our basement.
--Helping me to pick out an outfit for ‘book buying day’ at St. Thomas More when I was in the third grade. I am sure if I were her, I would have just wanted me to hurry up and get ready, but instead she patiently helped me to try on many, many outfits until I found the ‘perfect’ one.
--Carrying that heavy, heavy videocamera on her shoulder so that each and every one of my dance recitals, cheerleading games and pep rallies were recorded.
--Making enough Rotel cheese dip and Rice Krispie treats to feed an army (or just a bunch of hungry teenagers).
--Holding my hand through every braces appointment, oral surgery and eye doctor appointment. (Considering that I have worn glasses since the third grade, wore braces from fourth through ninth grade, then had oral surgeries for two years, that is a lot!)


Just like any young adult, I used to try and fight the idea that I was exactly like my mom. But as I get older it is more and more comforting to be able to call her and she knows exactly what I am thinking and how I am feeling. We tease that my mom has raised two clones of herself with my sister and me. But seeing her values, strong will, nurturing personality, work ethic and love for her family, I am so thankful that she has.