Mother's Day

Mother's Day is such a wonderful time.  It always makes me stop and think about how blessed I am to have the amazing mother I have.  (Not to mention my amazing father, but we will save that for a Father's Day post when the time is right.)

Growing up, I certainly didn't realize how lucky I was to have such a loving mother.  I also didn't truly understand what loving meant.  At the time, I thought loving meant making me happy, not telling me no.  I thought it meant doing whatever she could for me rather than giving me curfews, restrictions, and stipulations.  I realize now that what my mother gave me is the hardest, most loving thing a mother can do and I'm so lucky to have had a mother that was willing to make me "hate" her in order to show me love.

Teaching middle school has opened my eyes to parenthood.  I try not to judge - I mean, I'm not a fair judge considering I have no children of my own.  However, when I have parents ask me how to discipline their child, I want to scream... I am 27 and child-less and you want me to tell you how to raise your child?! 

It's also made me recognize how lucky I am to have had supportive parents.  I don't recall my parents ever missing a band concert, drama play, soccer/basketball/softball game, summer league tournament, Girl Scout function, NHS ceremony, PTA meeting, etc.  I teach students whose parents live close enough to walk to the school and they have never seen their children's classrooms or lockers.  I have students whose parents cannot even pick them up from a home game, let alone travel to an away game the way mine did. 

It's funny...growing up everyone always tells you that your parents know best and one day you will realize all that.  Thank God my parents have never said, "I told you so."  There have been countless opportunities for them to.  I'm just grateful that they are loving enough not to rub my mistakes in my face. 

Above all this Mother's Day, I am thankful for these characteristics my mother displays(ed):

• Accountability. Mom always knew where I was, who I was with, and what our intentions were before I was allowed to go anywhere.
• Unconditional Love. I know I wasn't always good to my mother (What 16 year old girl is?), but she has never relented her love for me despite this fact.
• Listening shoulder.  Mom is the first person I call when I am excited, nervous, sad, angry, etc.
• Understanding. There have been many times I've forgotten to call on an anniversary, said something I regret, or done something against my parents' wishes.  Mom has always understood that I am my own person and need to learn things my own way.

There are so many other characteristics that my mother has, but the above were probably the toughest to hang onto when I was at my worst.  One of my biggest fears is that I will not be a good mother.  I regularly pray that I will raise my children in a loving, Godly environment.  I know all fear is sin and I should not fear this, but I think my mother (and father) did such an incredible job parenting my brother and myself and I am afraid I won't be as strong as them.

Thank you, Mom, for everything.  Happy Mother's Day. <3