Mothers, Mothers Everywhere!

In the last few weeks I have listened to so much and read a lot and felt so much about Motherhood.  Because of that and also because of the phase I am at in my life, the meaning behind the act of Motherhood seems to be taking on new life for me.

Recently I came to the epiphany that I do not want to force my children to celebrate me on Mother’s Day.  I want them to want to.  I also realized that this desire comes with age and maturity, on their part.  Of course they love me and every little kiss and hug and “I love you SO MUCH, Mommy” is a celebration of the love and moments we share.  Yes, a special day IS special but not if it is forced.  How did I come to this realization you may ask?  Because I remembered that I myself did not really care much about Mother’s Day and honoring my own mother until I was older.  Did I care that much when I was 7 years old or ever 10?  Nah.

But these days and ESPECIALLY now, that I have a much better scope of all she did for me and my brothers my appreciation is REAL and ten-fold.

How could it not be?

In the card I gave her in person on Sunday (it was so nice to SEE her and hug her on the actual day, it had been a while) I thanked her for loving me and for praying for me and my family and told her I am blessed to have her as my mother.  Because I am.

 

She was there after all my babies were born…

Some people do not even have their mothers here with them anymore.  Some people have super complicated relationships with their mothers.  Some people miss their mother, even if she is not physically gone.

 

The other aspect of motherhood that I have recently realized even more than usual is the great band of us that are in this together.  Listen To Your Mother broadened my motherhood horizons, so to speak, and after hearing 15 more very different and enlightening stories this past Saturday at the Austin show, I was truly blown away.  Not only by the stories but just by the breadth of life experience we females get from “mothering”.  There absolutely is nothing else like it.

 

Me and Jennifer with two of the LTYM Austin show producers: Leigh Ann & Kristin

 

And of course I also know this just from how many mothers I am friends with on the internet and in my life in general.  Those of us who like to write blogs and put it all out there, share our stories that way but I also hear stories over dinner or drinks too, from my friends here in town or when we talk on the phone.   Or even from a random Facebook post, asking for help in some way or just musing about some aspect of Motherhood.

Mothers are ALL around me in my life and I am so thankful to know so many and to be able to learn from them and even hopefully give support to some as well.  When I became a mother I had no idea how much I would need other mothers as friends and supporters myself.

I am just amazed at all that we do.  I am also astounded at all that we learn and become and how we evolve as the word “Mother” becomes part of our description of ourselves.

 

It it surely one of the most awesome roles I have ever taken on.

 

Me and my cutie-pies, Mother’s Day 2014

 

Remember those friends I talked about above?  They write so wonderfully about Motherhood too.   Here are just a few posts I have come across in the last several days that I want to share with you about Motherhood.  (one is even from a Man! eek! 😉  )

 

From my friend Andrea:  What Happened Here? 

From my friend Alison: Dreaming of My Mother

From my friend Galit: 7 (Unintentional) Lessons I Learned From My Mother

From my friend Natalie: What Jerry Seinfeld Taught Me About Parenthood

From Dallas radio show host  Gordon Keith: Shell of a former self

 

Also!  Coupons.com is a great source for celebrating moms this month because of the great savings, deals and coupon codes.  Coupons.com has a Mother’s Day SuperheroMom Giveaway this month where you can win amazing prizes like a $500 Visa gift card, a $500 Sephora gift card, a Vitamix and a Roomba!  Go take the SuperheroMom Quiz to find out which superhero you are – I got Cat Woman.  RAWR! 😉 

 

Here’s THE best part – Me and my #HappyMamas friends are offering a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card from Coupons.com.  Now THAT is a deal!!

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