A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

“This Moment” is a ritual found on Life inspired by the Wee Man adopted fromSouleMama which was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane, of Samuel Michaels Photography. If you find yourself touched by a moment and would like to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments section.

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A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

“This Moment” is a ritual found on Life inspired by the Wee Man adopted from SouleMama which was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane, of Samuel Michaels Photography. If you find yourself touched by a moment and would like to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments section.

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“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

“Mother’s love grows by giving.” ~ Charles Lamb

Here it is again — Mother’s Day week.  It seems like we just did this, didn’t we? 

Don’t get me wrong.  I love the idea of Mothers Day!  Being a mom is the most important thing I’ve ever done.  But, it’s a working holiday for me because I have so many issues around ‘motherhood’ that get stirred up in the Mother’s Day stew.  They’re not all that tasty.

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First of all, I’ve given up on trying to find a Hallmark card for my mother with just the right sentiment.  I’ve never found the one that says:

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Dear Mom,

Thank you for not killing me, even though I know it was an accident!

Happy Mother’s Day! 

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Then, there’s the issue of my own offspring.  I remember when my son, J.M., was about four years old he said to me, in his most adorable little cherub voice, “Mama, you know how I’m gifted at reading, and writing, and drawing, and, well, everything?  What are you gifted at?”

I thought for a moment and then I responded, “Well, I think I’m gifted at being a mom.”

J.M. laughed, “That’s silly, Mama!  Anybody can do that!”

I’m pretty sure both my kids, as amazing as they are, still kind of think that. 

You see, only someone who never had their mother scream at them to ‘Rot in Hell’ while their father was choking them and banging their head against a wall would think that.  But, I digress. 

Another potato plopped into this confusing Mother’s Day stew about ten years ago.  My two boys were teenagers and my husband at the time, The Cowboy, told me when he asked them how we should celebrate Mother’s Day, J.M. responded, “We don’t really like Mother’s Day because nothing we ever do for her is good enough.”  When The Cowboy told me that it broke my heart.  Honestly, it still makes me cry to think of it.

As it turns out, The Cowboy was dishonest and often went out of his way to do things to hurt me.  I never found out if J.M. actually said that, maybe, maybe not (*shrug*).  Either way it doesn’t change the fact that The Cowboy used it to hurt me.  It all feels so convoluted sometimes.  

When it’s said and done, I don’t believe my kids should owe me anything.  I brought them into this world and raised them as best I could because that’s what I intensely longed to do.  It was my grand science experiment and I learned and benefitted from it as much as anyone did.

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“Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” ~ Linda Wooten

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So, this Mother’s Day I shall celebrate the Spirit of Motherhood which has brought so much growth and empowerment into my own experience.  I am grateful for the honor of having brought two extraordinary people into the world and for all the incredible memories they have given me, and which we continue to share.  I also wanted more for my children than I could ever have expected for myself which has expanded my own mind, heart and life beyond the boundaries that once confined me.  What a wonderful gift — more precious than I ever dreamed possible! 

What does Mother’s Day mean to you?  Do you have an unusual way of celebrating?  Please share your wisdom (and pictures!) in the comments below.                      

A Friday ritual — fudging the rules a little this week!  A single photo, no words,  capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

“This Moment” is a ritual found on Life inspired by the Wee Man adopted from SouleMama which was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane, of Samuel Michaels Photography. If you find yourself touched by a moment and would like to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments section.

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The kids, mostly Hispanic, in my art class are still laughing because when they asked how they should decorate their cascarónes I suggested writing something festive on them them like:

“Viva la Mexico!” 

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!