Mother's Day is one of those holidays that most people don't know how it came to exist, but go along with it anyway. From the time we are tiny our dads, grandmas, or older siblings told us on this particular Sunday of the each year, we needed to make something special for Mommy, cook her breakfast in bed, and, most importantly, be especially good. These instructions have been the motivation behind a plethora of hand print art pieces, overcooked eggs, and whispered sibling fights. As we get older, we go through the entire "Things Remembered" collection knowing that Mom will smile and seem genuinely thrilled with just about anything that has our picture or name on it. We stand elbow to elbow in the card section at Target picking out the perfect card, or the one card that is left that has a matching envelope and is not in a language we don't speak. Some years, we go all out and get her something really good like a massage or art made by an actual artist, and Mom's reaction is not just genuine, it's off the charts because she had given up hope of ever getting a gift she really likes. However, in spite of our stumbling through early morning kitchen destruction, mediocre gifts and buying the same card two years in a row, our moms really are always so thankful on Mother's Day. They walk around with big smiles and relish well-wishes from family and strangers alike. For years, it has been a mystery to me why moms are so appreciative when we often don't do such a great job of celebrating them.
Then, I had a child of my own. For the past ten months I have been a real life, in the trenches, 24/7 mommy. Motherhood is a whirlwind! Some days you feel made for it and some days you think you're completely failing. Some days you can't remember life before being a mommy and some days you can't remember your name. It is exhausting and exhilarating. It is painful and precious. It is terrifying and thrilling. It is jolting and joyful. It is by far the greatest job I've ever had in my life, even when I'm up at 3am with a teething child who doesn't understand why her mouth hurts. The gift of a child that you get to love and comfort and shape and teach is tremendous. The fact that God has trusted you with His precious creation and is letting you represent His love and grace and comfort is humbling and awe-inspiring. Which is why, I'm looking forward to all of the random, hand crafted, dollar-store gifts that will come my way in years to come. The gift of being a mom is truly the apex of gifts. There is nothing greater that I can be given, and every time I hear "Happy Mother's Day" this year, I'll be thinking about my precious gift and the joy permanently residing in my heart because of her existence.
Of course, you can still TRY to give a great gift. Spa days are great, jewelry is always good, and if you have a mom like me, you can't go wrong with a great pair of shoes! Hand print optional. :)
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