For all the Mothers...on your special day!

[historyteach]

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up puke laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here".

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football , hockey or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that t takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us.
Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.

Shalom!

[tad4871]

What I haven't put my mother through over the years -- sleepless nights, emergency room visits, etc. -- she has ALWAYS been there for me. I don't know what I would do without her. We always tease my mom on holidays because all the kids try to outdo each other with mushy cards because my mother has to read them out loud, and cry over every one. I don't think I could put into words all that my mother is to me, but your words covered just a few of things my mom has done. I can't bring myself to tell her I have a problem - AGAIN - and hurt her like that, so I'm going to tell her your poem was from an e-mail I got. I'm going to print it out and bring it over today. She's going to cry her eyes out :-) Thanks.

[Ann]

That's beautiful, Teach, and touches my heart.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Hugs and love

[cwohio]

thanks teach - happy mother's day to you too!

[OVERIT]

That just made me sob out loud. LOVE IT!

Teach, Happy Mother's Day to you too!

xo

Ang

[historyteach]

I admit, I bawled my eyes out when I read it too. I got it from my sis. And I knew I had to share it here!

Happy Mother's Day to all....

And Tad....Welcome to SR; I'm glad your mom will bawl away!!!

Shalom!

[deedee]

Thank you (((Teach))) so true

And a happy Mother's Day to you my dear!

[Ann]

I had a little sob myself, but thought I might be the only one, or that you'd think I didn't like it. Codie through and through, I am

[historyteach]

Ann, I wouldn't have you any other way! You are just GREAT the way you are!
Yea, there's plenty in there that'll bring forth the salt water works, lol!
And it's wonderful, because it's all so true!

Shalom!