Sunday, May 8

Mother's Day

Today is my 20th Mother's Day.

Wow. Even as I type those words, I find them hard to believe. It's cliche', of course, but so true: The days are long, but the years are short.

In honor of the occasion, I'd like to share a post that I originally wrote for my dear friend Melissa at 320 Sycamore. And if you're a mom, I wish you a very happy Mother's Day today!

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May 2010

As I reflect on some things I've learned about being a mother, my thoughts turn to my teachers. I have three of them. They're all red-headed boys. For most of what I know about being a mom I've learned from my kids.

First, the oldest. He's always been my favorite, you know. He's the one who taught me how to do so many important things: how to feed a baby, how to bathe a baby, how to comfort a baby. I can just picture him with his curly red hair and his soulful hazel eyes. He's always been a thinker, that boy--a thoughtful, deliberate, patient fellow. He's the one who named me. I never knew if I would be "Mama" or "Mommy" or "Mother"--but "Mom" is the name he chose, and so "Mom" I am. He taught me to listen.




Then there's my second son. He's always been my favorite, no doubt about it. He's the one who made my oldest son a brother, the one who made us really feel like a family. He taught me that a mother has two hands--one for each boy. Oh, how he loved his big brother. I can just picture him shadowing his brother, imitating him, always trying to win his approval. He's faithful and loyal and gracious, always ready to assist. He taught me that I can do much more than I ever thought I could.




And then the youngest. He's always been my favorite, hands down. He's the one who charmed us all. What a joy he'a always been, this little tag-a-long. I can just picture him wanting to do the same things the "big boys" did. In the end, though, he made a special place for himself. He taught me patience by his example. He's always had to go along, and he's become a great companion. He's funny and fun, creative and generous. He taught me to treasure childhood.




After nearly 19 years of motherhood, perhaps the greatest thing I've learned is how love works. I always wondered how God could love all of us--how it was possible that all His children could be so dear to Him. I never really understood. I didn't realize how the heart can expand--how time may be divided, but love multiplies. I'd heard that before I was a mom, but I never knew it myself. Now I know it's true.

I learned it from my favorite sons.


15 comments:

  1. Oh, how I love this post! :) I hope you have a blessed and joyful Mother's Day, Richella. :)

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  2. Happy Mother's Day. All that beautiful red hair . . . fun.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  3. Richella...I feel the same way about my three daughters...they are all my favorites! Ha!

    You said it all so perfectly!

    I love the picture of your redheaded guys...they are all so handsome. (And their mom is a beauty!)

    Happy Mother's Day Sweet Lady!

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  4. You are a wonderful Mom.....Your boys are so lucky to have you in their lives. Happy Mothers Day from one Mom to another.

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  5. Hope Jack is fully stabilized. Amazing how important the heart is...Wonderful post on your favorites: I have two favorite kids too! Prayerfully we'll be owning our first home by the 20th and I look forward to them both having cute new rooms and a bathroom with 2 sinks again, like our house in California: they've had some issues having to share a sink. Took our mom, Juanita, out to lunch today; Didn't do a thing for Tinka's mom: in Bulgaria it's not Mother's Day! So prayerfully we'll be moving from "Brookfield" to "Stoneybrook." (Although it's farther from the brook and closer to the field...go figure.) Served at our Mother's Day breakfast and led singing today, including a jazzy rendition of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot": fun and encouraging but sobering and especially poignant for some whose mothers have gone on. I wasn't thinking of the melancholy effect that had on some. The heart. Signing off from Wichita, looking for open heart patients...

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  6. I remember this post! I love it. Hope you have had a wonderful Mother's Day! So glad to hear that Preston is going to UNC. He and Catie will have to meet. Carla

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  7. Beautiful post! You are one lucky lady to be blessed with three fine boys. Hope you enjoyed every second of your Mother's Day.

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  8. Beautiful post!!
    We too, have 3 sons & I always say " My favorite oldest", My favorite middle", My favorite youngest" They actually all get a kick out of it when they argue who is Mom's favorite..
    Happy Mother's Day to you!!

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  9. So, so sweet! I love it! I know all three boys are your favorite, but with having just one, it makes it a little easier for me to narrow it down! HA!

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  10. Precious post! I love it! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. :)

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  11. How beautifully said!:) I hope you had a richly blessed Mother's Day Richella!! :)

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  12. Beautiful. The pictures and your words. And the way you described that youngest one? It's the way I would have described my youngest son exactly. Must be the baby's role to teach us patience and to treasure childhood.

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  13. Okay, this might have to be my new favorite post. So sweet. I love how you said they're all your favorites. I say the same thing. Such a sweet tribute not only to your precious red-headed boys, but also to what a great mother you are. Glad you had a great Mother's Day! Hope it was "quiet" at your house this weekend!

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  14. Love this too! I also have 3 favorite kids :) Great post!

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  15. This post echoes truth... love the pictures and the words. -- faith (another mama who has four favorite boys)

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