Yesterday was Mother's Day. An event that, according to Wikipedia, was first created as the "Mother's Day Proclamation" back in the late 19th century in reaction to women interested in shaping their society and bring forth positive change. By 1914 it became a U.S. holiday, and within only 6 years, it took on the commercialized level that we continue to see today.
None of that really matters, except that it provides me the opportunity to relish in my children's creativity and tenderness, as specifically exhibited by seven-year-old Lucy. After waking early, fighting back sniffles and tears from her insistent allergies, she told me to sit down. "I'm making you breakfast." I then received sliced bananas, a toasted bagel with butter, a handmade card and bead necklace. It was the perfect moment. One that, years from now, I'll wish that I could have frozen and replayed again and again. Then to see the delighted giggles that escaped her as I sat with tears falling down my face as she asked"Are you cryyyyying?" Yes. I was crying. These are the moments that balance out the less desirable ones and carry us through life.
My day only got better as Electra gave me an art piece that she created, and Alex, a unique gift of antique photographs. The day had it's challenges, as any day with three bountiful, creative and wondrous children might have, but it's all part of the package; part of the beauty that is created by these children. The gifts, the banana, the bagel, my family... what more could a mother really ask for?
