Motherhood is...

It's a beautiful day out.  Sun is shining and it's finally warming up here.  A bright and shining Mother's Day.

My mother is an awesome lady.  She was SAHM for many years then finally returned back to the banking industry, where she made Vice President before she retired.  And all that without a college degree.  She raised 4 girls, mostly by herself through the terrible teen years.  Believe me, we were more than a handful. She is caring and compassionate and has many friends to prove it.  She just had her 75th birthday a few months ago but still works at a major department store.  Mostly for her discount but I'm not sure I would want to be working when I'm 75.  She is by no means perfect.  If we are in close proximity to each other (like in a hotel room) for more than a couple of days, she can get on my nerves big time.  I'm sure I get on hers too.  However she is ALWAYS there when we need her.  No matter what is going on in my life, how down I am, she always believes in me.  Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all you other good mothers out there.  Nearly every mother is a "good" mother.  No one is a perfect mother.  Motherhood is not about being perfect.  It's about being THERE.

Motherhood is...

OUR mother's way of getting back at us.  "Wait until you grow up and have your own kids!"  I sometimes get flash backs when my kids do something that works my last nerve.  Deja vu is a humbling thing.  Makes us appreciate our mothers more.

About humility.  How many of you have ever pushed a cart in a store with your baby parked in it.  Then said baby lets out a fart so big and so loud than absolutely no one could believe it came from such a little person.  so they all look at YOU!  You stand there red-faced saying something like "Oh my how does such a little thing make so much noise".  Meanwhile your little thing is either giggling its head off or completely oblivious to all that is happening.  And if you think anyone else believes you...think again.

About empathy.  You are at an amusement park and see a little child kicking and screaming.  You think "poor baby, you're parents need to take you home for a nap.  They've obviously worn you out."   Then when YOUR kid has a full blown meltdown in the middle of Epcot on your first day, the first hour in the park (true story), the next time you see another child do the same thing you think..."poor mother".

An adrenaline rush.  DON'T....jump off of.....skateboard down the....run with....put that in.....  It doesn't matter what you fill in the blanks with because before you finish saying it, they've gone and done it, leaving your heart pounding in your throat.

About having your purse turned into a diaper bag, a pharmacy, a convenience store (wet wipes, candy, gum, snacks), garbage can (the wrappers from aforementioned wipes, candy, gum and snacks).  Even if YOU don't put them in there, where do you think your kids put them when they are done?

About reassessing your sense of fashion or home decor...

It's Beautiful! (what exactly is it?)

You can wear it to that important board meeting tomorrow!

Learning to laugh at yourself.  I've already admitted that my body type is fluffy.  I am fairly well endowed in the chest area.  I breastfed all my children until they were at least 2.5 years old (The youngest until he was 5). Nudity is not a big issue in our house.  When it's warm I like to wear what we call pareaus (Polynesian sarongs).  One day when Rabbit was about 2, he comes up to me and mumbles something about a car.  I said, "What?"
 "I want my car"
 "What car?  I don't have a car, look in the car bin."
 He stepped closer, reached his little hand under my right boob and pulls out...a matchbox car!  Granted it was one of the sleeker models but still, I never even realized it was there!

My kids aren't here today.  My daughter is in Canada and can't come back until immigration is done processing her paperwork.  It might be another year or two.  My sons are in California with their father.

So do me a favor.  Hug your children a little tighter today, for me.  I'm saving my hugs until my kids get back.

Happy Mother's Day!