Mother's Day inspirations

Being a mother is the hardest job a woman can take upon herself. But the rewards can be endlessly amazing.

The first reward of motherhood is seeing the wide-eyed look of discovery on your child's face when he sees or touches or tastes something new. It opens your senses again to that first moment of knowing and you get to experience things you may have passed by with a shrug. The air is suddenly fresher, the light brighter, the fingertips more sensitive.



It was satisfying to watch my children work together tirelessly to spoil me on Mother's Day. My daughter (who is celebrating two years as a mother herself) swore that she enjoyed working in the kitchen, and I know the boys had fun cooking and poking at each other.  The three of them had plotted and whispered for weeks to pull off a surprise. But none of them could resist giving me tell-tale hints.

We are fortunate enough to have all our children and grandchildren living less than an hour away so we can gather for meals and celebrations often. Food is often the vehicle for expressing love and appreciation in our home but this Mother's Day was exceptional.  Our daughter and two sons pooled their efforts and money to pamper me on this special day with flowers, candy, food and beverages that were all over the top. Strawberry margaritas, seafood beyond my wildest dreams, exotic fruits and vegetables, and chocolate weighed down the serving areas and tables.

Laughter and light-hearted chatter filled the air as we feasted and toasted.              

I began to realize that my "young'uns" are at the grand age of appreciation. I didn't think anything could top the age of discovery. But this seems to be the  best age of all.

They (and I) have survived their maturing together and we all have an even stronger love and acceptance of each other. The little stings and bumps and scrapes made better by mother's kisses. The slights and injustices made bearable by mother's hugs. The struggle to win made exciting by mother's encouragement.

At the end of the day, watching my daughter with her tiny son, cuddled into a big chair with her husband (my new son) I realized that she is the best mother I have ever known and I told her so.