And I love Mother's Day for many of the same reasons.
Today, we didn't do anything extravagant. And that was perfect. We left our plans kind of up in the air and waited to see what time Elle napped because I had to work tonight. I got an amazingly sweet card, an elephant (cuz we have a thing for elle-phants now) charm for the charm bracelet Tim gave me on our wedding day and bubbles for Elle and I to play with (this was her contribution to my gift). I got to sleep in, which was desperately needed and greatly appreciated after I was up for 21 hours on Saturday (and ran a 5K, co-hosted a bridal shower and worked a late shift at work during those 21 hours).
Today, I nursed a silly baby girl who was too preoccupied with cooing and twisting around to focus on eating much (which is par for the course lately). I went to lunch with said baby and Tim and videotaped Elle's "happy dance" at the table.
I rocked her and sang to her before she went down for a nap. And I spent some time cuddling with my husband, who made Elle - and my being a mom - possible.
I was driving home from work last night when I realized that while this holiday is designed to celebrate mothers, but really, to me, it's another day to observe and be thankful for my family as a whole. Without my mom, I would be lost. I wouldn't be who I am today. I wouldn't be the mom I am. I am super close to my mom, and it's with new perspective that I look at this day and realize everything she's done and sacrificed for her kids.
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| Love you, Mom! |
The skipped meals, the lack of sleep, the running around feeling like a chicken with my head cut off because I'm being torn in so many directions - this is what I've experienced for just a little more than nine months. Wanting to keep my daughter from any kind of pain. Trying to provide anything and everything she might ever dream of, fostering a world where she knows no limits. Being there for her 24/7. And my mom has done it for almost 34 years, for four kids. I have major respect and a deeper appreciation for that now that I am actually experiencing it.
Largely because of my relationship with my mom - and now, my daughter - this commercial gave me goosebumps:
I haven't seen it on TV, but one of my fave bloggers posted it ... and wowza.
It's hard not having my grandma around to call this Mother's Day - I know she was *my* grandma, but she was my dad's mom, my mom's mother-in-law, and again, without her, we wouldn't be who we are. I watched her reign over our family as a mother and saw how her love trickled down and around each crevice of the family tree, from opening her arms to her sons' wives to spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with love.
Today, I've sent, received and exchanged "Happy Mother's Day" texts, Tweets, comments and messages with my mom friends - and it's with a secret little heart smile that I realize we're in the same "club." It's an experience on a completely different level from being a daughter - but where we all kind of have a new view of the wonder that is motherhood. A wonder I've only experienced for a short time, but wow, has it been an amazing time. I look forward to the continued education, growth and amazement that motherhood will bring.
This wasn't Mother's Day to me - it was a precious, blessed family day. Yeah, it was nice to play the "It's Mother's Day" card and sleep and choose what restaurant we were going to go to and what we were going to do, and even get out of a dirty diaper change. But I played the "Mother" card even harder when I put Elle down for her naps with a whispered "I love you" and was giddy all afternoon just because we went to the mall as a family.
So today, the day meant to honor moms, actually left me feeling more grateful than ever that I have such a great family, from my mom to my husband to my daughter and everyone in between.
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