The Mother Lode

With mother's day quickly approaching I'm being drawn back to remember all the mother's I know and how they have impacted my life. 
I know many mothers that have found great joy and deep sorrow in the title of motherhood. 

I am thinking of a neighbor I once had that expressed profound sadness every year on mother's day. She had a lovely mother and celebrated her with great pride but the sting of not being a mother herself cut very deep. 
However, she was a mother of sorts. 
Many years ago she gave birth to a son, gave him up for adoption and moved on with life. 

Alone.

No one knew of him, not even her own mother. 
Until he contacted her, reaching for a relationship to know his mother. There must be a deep pull for every person to connect with the women who offered a space in her very own body as your first dwelling place. 

I'm reminded of my aunts. 
They each had qualities that made them so special. 
My Aunt Jo, I loved spending time with her. She was so inclusive, inviting me as a young girl to feel welcome to be with the ladies. At family functions in the 70's I would sit quietly in her mid-century modern home, listening to the ladies talk about life, kids, husbands and so on. I loved to admire their trendy hair styles and dramatic clothes. Classy and eclectic all working together to pull off an amazing look.
None of them worked outside the home if I remember correctly so work was not in the discussion. 
How time's have changed!
Before we left her home she always sent me off with a treasure, a Puka shell necklace from Hawaii or Love's Baby Soft or one of her cast off accessories that I would wear with great pride. 

The mother of my best friend Becky, from elementary school, has a mother I remember being amazed at. Her mother had a tribe of children. 
Literally, like 11. 
I loved spending time with her humongous family. 
Constant playmates at her disposal. Her mama was a saint I am sure. She would gather all these kiddos for snack and mealtime with such ease. She had a constant joy that seemed to radiate from her. I remember thinking I would have a tribe of my own like that one day. Being the youngest, I longed for built in friends close to my age. 

So much for me having a tribe. 
Her tribe of 11, my tribe of 3. 
Perfect for each mama.

My own mama. 
Perfection. 
Loving, tender, strong and wise. 
If only I could squeeze her this Mother's Day. 

This brings me to my own mothering. The best gift I have ever received was the gift of motherhood. My sweet babies that grew up too fast, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to hone my mothering skills, make mistakes, celebrate joys and learn how to perfect this task, only to finally feel like I got this mothering thing down, just to have you grow up, move away and live your life. Just as you should. 

Motherhood; rewarding and challenging at the same time. 

Much like gardening. You work the soil, plant the flowers, water, feed and prune only to find that a pesky little weed decided to plant roots in your well manicured bed.   
 
I would lie if I said I loved every moment of motherhood, even the difficult ones. 
I did not.

But now, looking in the rear view mirror of life, I can see that where I was challenged I was experiencing pruning of my own. Where I was impatient, I was growing in my ability to wait. Where I was losing control, I learned to trust in a power greater than my own. All the skills needed for each chapter of life. 

I've shared many laughs and tears with special women that have left sweet impressions of motherhood upon me.  

 
Celebrate them! 

You, your own or a mom away from mom! 
Without those mother's, none of us would be here, literally, you owe your life to her. 

Literally.