Happy Mother's Day

[JenT 0]

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their

arms, wiping up vomit laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid

saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies

who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their

hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween

costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And

the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on

their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at

football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that

when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I

wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store

and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream

before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but

realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and

explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but

just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And

then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their

shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro

instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their

daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little

voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are

at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach

aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls

from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right

away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the

words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or

children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally

unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their

14-year-olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the

mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of

their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school,

safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful,

and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt,

all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you

watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone

for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from

bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The

panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their

key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to

flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a

car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for

young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all.

For all of us.

Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

"Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

[almaty 19]

good post...happy mother's day to all the moms on vj...

[jelti 0]

Ok, that almost made me cry. I can't wait to be a mama one day.

[sowens 0]

What an awsome tribute JenT, a very nice post. I had a mothers day poem somewhere but cant seem to find it, however this one was great and hit the nail right on the head.

[ariel_2005 0]

thanks jen:)... im very proud to be mommy to our little princess also happy mothers day to all moms everywhere

[nayalamb 0]

how sweet... awww....

happy mother's day to all our moms on VJ! and to all the mothers of our VJers!

Edited May 9, 2006 by nayalamb

[iceyspots 0]

to all the men on here who are freaking out, Mother's day isnt until the 14th its a sunday

[Dixie_Peach 1]

*sniffles*

awesome tribute jen!

i would just like to say...

Mama, even though you are gone...

you are NOT forgotten...

My prayer is that I can be a shining example for others...

My tribute to you, Mama - is to treat the elderly with respect... love... and care... and gentleness...

I love ya Mama...

Every day... Every moment...

And I miss you more than any words could ever say...

I find peace in knowing that one day I will see your lovely face again...

Your daughter,

Lynne

[sowens 0]

*sniffles*

awesome tribute jen!

i would just like to say...

Mama, even though you are gone...

you are NOT forgotten...

My prayer is that I can be a shining example for others...

My tribute to you, Mama - is to treat the elderly with respect... love... and care... and gentleness...

I love ya Mama...

Every day... Every moment...

And I miss you more than any words could ever say...

I find peace in knowing that one day I will see your lovely face again...

Your daughter,

Lynne

Awwwwww Dixie (((((((((((((Huggles)))))))))))))) I think its obvious your Mama would be VERY proud of you

[ivona 0]

that sent shivers down my spine with every line read.....thank you JenT

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

How about my mom?

She never had that hard a time bringing me up seeing what an Angel I was.

Edited May 9, 2006 by ET-US2004

[MichelleandCraig 1]

omg..that post has made me out and out CRY... could be just overtired or whatever, and extra emotional...but I'm NOT PMSing..haha....anyway, I see so many of those things as I read it...in my relationship with Corey...from the time he was a baby....to him walking to school for the first time not that long ago... a year or so ago. Every morning I still pray that he's careful and makes it just fine there and home even tho we're only a few blocks from the school. (he's walkin on the roads...very small town,but no sidewalks,etc) Anyway, I really yearn for some of those moments at times..now that they're gone. The best advice I could ever give to someone having a first child is to TREASURE all those moments...you don't realize how quickly they are going to pass...THAT isn't just a cliche....I look back and I can't believe he'll be 13 in less than a month..and it absolutely boggles my mind that he'll be 16 in a few years and so different from how he is now..and then 18 in five years.... SLOW DOWN KID!!!!! M.

[Sister Fracas 5]

How about my mom?

She never had that hard a time bringing me up seeing what an Angel I was.

oh...you were serious.....

[almaty 19]

How about my mom?

She never had that hard a time bringing me up seeing what an Angel I was.

yeah right

[JenT 0]

For the short time I've been active on this site, I've been impressed at the amazing women who frequent these pages... there's an entire sub-culture of us who are tenacious enough to brave this process, the waiting, and the loneliness... all while carrying on in the daily routine of our lives.... to make our dreams come true. We have learned that no one will do that for us. We make life happen.

This is a small tribute to those of you who are moms, moms-to-be soon, and moms-to-be later...

Happy Mother's Day!!

Jen