Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day Thoughts

Today was a sweet day. I have to be honest and say that it was somewhat anti-climactic, though. My kids are too young to understand Mother's Day, and it was really just a normal Sunday. There were no elaborate gifts or children waxing eloquent about what a wonderful mother they have ;) This morning, like every Sunday, it was just a rush to get everyone fed, dressed, out the door, and to church semi on time. The first time I heard "Happy Mother's Day" today was from the greeter at church. Then we rushed home to get here before our guests. My family and my grandparents were coming for lunch. So we got all the food ready, and it was time to eat. But Alaina was hungry and tired. So I told everyone to go ahead and eat, and I went to feed her. She fell asleep while she was nursing, but she woke up when I transferred her to her bed. She was kind of fussing and couldn't seem to get settled, so I picked her back up and rocked her to sleep. As I was rocking her, I could hear our guests downstairs eating and having fun. I was starving and thinking that it was kind of a bummer that here it was Mother's Day and I was sitting upstairs missing out on Mother's Day lunch and all the fun.

But then it hit me. I'm "missing out" because I'm a mother. At that moment, my baby needed me. If it weren't for that fact, sure, I would have been downstairs eating and having a good time. But if not for my children, I wouldn't be celebrating Mother's Day at all. So, my slight pity party turned into a beautiful moment of thankfulness. I'm honored to be able to rock my baby and meet her needs. It's a blessing to miss out on lunch to put my children before my myself. After all, that is Motherhood, is it not? It's about learning to love unconditionally and sacrificially. There is beauty in the mountain top moments when our children tell us they love us and that we're their favorite person in the "whole wide word." But there is also beauty in the everyday, non-glamorous, not-so-exciting grind. I was reminded of that today. And I'm thankful.

6 comments:

David Howie said...

The children and I are very blessed to have you. We love you.

Nathalie said...

Beautiful post! I know exactly what you mean.

Amy said...

amen! you are so right, carrie! and if it makes you feel any better, i was told "happy balen-times day!" at least 50 times today. but not any mention of mother's day ;-)

Whitney said...

I felt the same way yesterday. We baptized Sam, went to lunch at a busy restaurant, and I even had to get groceries. The only way I would have gotten a true break was to not be with my children, and that's not the day I wanted. This is another beautiful post. I hope you got some lunch!

Jennifer said...

I am right there with you! Carl did prepare dinner but other than that, it was a normal day. One day we will be eating on Mother's Day wishing to be upstairs nursing the baby. Lovely post!

Joy and Chris said...

Thanks for your honesty! I felt the same way yesterday. It's hard to have a "day off" when you're a mother of young children!