This year is quite a special Mother's Day because we've added two new mothers to the mix. Both my sisters joined the special land of motherhood this past fall and will look at this day a lot differently than they have in the past.
In honour of all the mothers in my family, I thought I would write a few words about what each one has taught me.
My father's mother has taught me not only how to make a great pie or some super canned jam and chili sauce, but also how to stay young. Surround yourself with young people, journey around the world as though you're 25 and always be the last one to leave the kegger.
My mother's mother has taught me the importance of honest hard work. As a teacher when not many women were out in the workforce, she spent tireless hours educating children, just like me, to go out into the world and conquer. And always with a smile on her face and a positive outlook on life.
D's mom has taught me patience. Patience with your children. Patience with your spouse. Patience with yourself, even if you're a distracting Gemini. That life - and the universe - sometimes has a way of making it all go your way, if only you have the patience to let it.
D's sister L has taught the me the importance of fun in parenting. Laughing and playing with her children, engaging them, asking them questions, teaching the interaction skills that will benefit them well into their older years.
My sister C has taught me the beauty of chaos. Watching her navigate through the first few months of her son Marshmellow's life has been extraordinary. It takes great courage to put aside your conventions, to shift your way of thinking and to simply give in to the amazing world of the schedules of babies - or lack there of.
My sister H has taught me the importance of going with your gut. Her heart stopper Stan-The-Man went through a period of intense spitting up that turned into projectile vomiting. Through all the doctors 'let's wait and sees' and the concerned family's 'don't worry, babies spit up' she was insistent that something was seriously wrong. She was right. A simple operation to fix the problem and he's no longer losing weight but becoming the next potential football player in the family.
My own mother has taught me the importance of self worth and acceptance. That you can be anything you want to be. An astronaut, a surgeon, even a duck if that's what you so choose. That the world is out there for you to go and get, all you have to do is reach out. That being a mother is about helping, nurturing, guiding and then letting go, no matter how it breaks your own heart to see your child take off and fly. Perhaps halfway around the world even.
To all the mothers in my family - and all the mothers I know around the world - I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.
In honour of all the mothers in my family, I thought I would write a few words about what each one has taught me.
My father's mother has taught me not only how to make a great pie or some super canned jam and chili sauce, but also how to stay young. Surround yourself with young people, journey around the world as though you're 25 and always be the last one to leave the kegger.
My mother's mother has taught me the importance of honest hard work. As a teacher when not many women were out in the workforce, she spent tireless hours educating children, just like me, to go out into the world and conquer. And always with a smile on her face and a positive outlook on life.
D's mom has taught me patience. Patience with your children. Patience with your spouse. Patience with yourself, even if you're a distracting Gemini. That life - and the universe - sometimes has a way of making it all go your way, if only you have the patience to let it.
D's sister L has taught the me the importance of fun in parenting. Laughing and playing with her children, engaging them, asking them questions, teaching the interaction skills that will benefit them well into their older years.
My sister C has taught me the beauty of chaos. Watching her navigate through the first few months of her son Marshmellow's life has been extraordinary. It takes great courage to put aside your conventions, to shift your way of thinking and to simply give in to the amazing world of the schedules of babies - or lack there of.
My sister H has taught me the importance of going with your gut. Her heart stopper Stan-The-Man went through a period of intense spitting up that turned into projectile vomiting. Through all the doctors 'let's wait and sees' and the concerned family's 'don't worry, babies spit up' she was insistent that something was seriously wrong. She was right. A simple operation to fix the problem and he's no longer losing weight but becoming the next potential football player in the family.
My own mother has taught me the importance of self worth and acceptance. That you can be anything you want to be. An astronaut, a surgeon, even a duck if that's what you so choose. That the world is out there for you to go and get, all you have to do is reach out. That being a mother is about helping, nurturing, guiding and then letting go, no matter how it breaks your own heart to see your child take off and fly. Perhaps halfway around the world even.
To all the mothers in my family - and all the mothers I know around the world - I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.
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