The Gift of Being a Mother

Mother's Day is a day that many women look forward too, going for brunch, or having the brood over for a family dinner. But what is this day really about?.

If you google it, this is what you will find.
Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.

Being a mother has been one of my greatest achievements and also a place where I saw my shortcomings. As I young mom, I was impatient, trying very hard to be perfect and have perfect children. Both were in vain. I was always in a hurry, running around like a crazy woman, but what I am proud of, is that I was there when my kids needed me. We may not have always had the best of everything, no spring break vacations, but they always knew where home was, and that they had a soft place to land.

I recently asked my grown children Amber and David the question, " What would you say was the best lesson or gift I gave you?"

My son, who is more emotional and a mushy guy, said I taught him to be kind, generous, work hard, stand up for himself and don't forget to dream. I was somewhat impressed that he got that, because I was really trying to teach him those lessons.

My daughter who likes to pretend she is tough, said, "The love of travel and the appreciation of expensive things". Hmmm, interesting, I know there is more there. Then she directed me to contact my son to answer the question for her, when I pushed her to go a little deeper. This killed me...

I believe I did the best I could with the knowledge and information I had, but the gifts I received from my children will far outnumber the gifts I gave them.

David and Amber taught me, patience, generosity, selfishness, humility, grace, acceptance, forgiveness, and to not take myself or life so darn seriously and to let down my hair occasionally. This list could be hundreds of words, but the one that has made the biggest difference for me has been unconditional love. I can truly say that, I love these two crazy, hippie kids, no matter what... Forever and I know that they feel the same. They inspire me with their passion for life, art and music, their close friendships and the compassion they have for people with struggles.

We have seen each other in every situation, good and bad, clean and dirty, happy and grumpy, morning and night and everything in between.

It is so cool to watch them grow up and become adults, and yet hard to see the struggles as well. Here is hoping and praying that I gave them enough knowledge and tools to get through everyday with a positive mindset, self esteem and to be able to handle the big and small challenges that they will be given in their journey. And that is all we can do...

Cheers to all the imperfect moms.

Fabulously your, Dianna

(Photo was taken by Nicole Ashley - Jan 2013 at the wedding of Dianna Bowes and John McEwan)