Day 10 and I am Mommy, Hear me Roar!

I’ve heard talk about Mothers’ Day being this dream-like day where Moms everywhere sit back and relax and don’t have to lift a finger. I’ve heard talk that Moms are taken out for dinner and given presents like flowers and spa certificates and such. I’ve even heard that, if there’s a man around, that she might even get a little extra-special attention, if you know what I mean… Hmm.

It’s 10 days before my 40th birthday and Mothers’ Day to boot. My day didn’t look like any of the above. No relaxing. Lots of fingers lifted – cooking, cleaning, caring, working, reading, writing. No restaurant meals. No flowers. No spa. And, alas, no extra-special attention… Sigh.

[Sound of needle scratching a record] Wow! For a moment, you thought you were reading someone else’s blog; not one belonging to a Professional Motivator. I even had to shake my head as I re-read what I wrote. It’s really not like me to focus on what I don’t have… especially on days of celebration. But I do have my moments, like everyone. Luckily, I drop-kicked that ego as quickly as she dared raised her voice inside my head. I am Mommy, Here me Roar!

As a Mommy, I love unconditionally. And I am grateful to be reminded every day of my capacity to love and be loved. It started on August 4, 1998 – or maybe even before when my belly was growing exponentially and I couldn’t eat enough peanut butter Purity crackers at 10PM each night during my pregnancy on Joel Anthony. Of course, if that wasn’t enough to turn my world upside down, Sydney Jade comes along June 8, 2001 so that I could actually feel my heart expand. The really cool things is that, when I hop off the Treadmill of Life and PAUSE (that is, when I get present), I can feel my heart expand EVERY time I look at them. THIS is the only gift I could ever want and it is mine every day, not just on Mothers’ Day.

I did enjoy a wonderful day with my children. We went to church together (I sort of forced them, but they are kind-of liking it), made and ate brunch together (well, three different meals and ate in three different parts of the house), hung out at Chapters (I worked, they read), and THEN… we all worked together to clean the house, cook dinner and entertain Mom and Dad (Nanny and Poppy). It was wonderful!! They hugged me goodbye and wished me a Happy Mothers’ Day and told me how much they love me, before going back to their Dad’s house for the week. They know what Mom needs and they know that happy Mommies make for happy families. Smart kids. I wonder where they get that??

Happy Mothers’ Day everyone! Enjoy the children in your lives. Revel in their unconditional love and return it. They are a gift.