Mother's Day

Today is my 20th Mother's Day.

Wow. Even as I type those words, I find them hard to believe. It's cliche', of course, but so true: The days are long, but the years are short.

In honor of the occasion, I'd like to share a post that I originally wrote for my dear friend Melissa at 320 Sycamore. And if you're a mom, I wish you a very happy Mother's Day today!

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May 2010

As I reflect on some things I've learned about being a mother, my thoughts turn to my teachers. I have three of them. They're all red-headed boys. For most of what I know about being a mom I've learned from my kids.

First, the oldest. He's always been my favorite, you know. He's the one who taught me how to do so many important things: how to feed a baby, how to bathe a baby, how to comfort a baby. I can just picture him with his curly red hair and his soulful hazel eyes. He's always been a thinker, that boy--a thoughtful, deliberate, patient fellow. He's the one who named me. I never knew if I would be "Mama" or "Mommy" or "Mother"--but "Mom" is the name he chose, and so "Mom" I am. He taught me to listen.

Then there's my second son. He's always been my favorite, no doubt about it. He's the one who made my oldest son a brother, the one who made us really feel like a family. He taught me that a mother has two hands--one for each boy. Oh, how he loved his big brother. I can just picture him shadowing his brother, imitating him, always trying to win his approval. He's faithful and loyal and gracious, always ready to assist. He taught me that I can do much more than I ever thought I could.

And then the youngest. He's always been my favorite, hands down. He's the one who charmed us all. What a joy he'a always been, this little tag-a-long. I can just picture him wanting to do the same things the "big boys" did. In the end, though, he made a special place for himself. He taught me patience by his example. He's always had to go along, and he's become a great companion. He's funny and fun, creative and generous. He taught me to treasure childhood.

After nearly 19 years of motherhood, perhaps the greatest thing I've learned is how love works. I always wondered how God could love all of us--how it was possible that all His children could be so dear to Him. I never really understood. I didn't realize how the heart can expand--how time may be divided, but love multiplies. I'd heard that before I was a mom, but I never knew it myself. Now I know it's true.

I learned it from my favorite sons.