Just Another {Mother’s Day} Weekend
This picture was taken a week ago on vacation, but it is representative of the position AE and I were in most of this weekend.
Poor AE spiked the strangest fever this weekend. I was terrified when I saw the digital numbers on our thermometer reach heights previously unseen. Even with fever-reducing medication, poor girl rocked a temp of between 102 and 103 for most of the weekend, despite a complete lack of any other symptoms of illness.
But, a fever that high is enough to make one feel rotten. And, my arms are still the only place she wants to be when she doesn’t feel well – day and night. So, while my Facebook and Twitter stream were a flurry of messages from fellow mom’s celebrating sleeping in and some “time off,” I was battling exhaustion and praying over the sick girl in my arms (and the sweet boy in my womb).
So, it might be easy to think I was shortchanged on the whole Mother’s Day festivities, but don’t feel that way at all. In fact, I don’t feel Mother’s Day should be much different from any other day on the calendar.
I’m not saying that mothers (and those who mother without the official title) should not be celebrated, pampered and given breaks. I absolutely think we all need those things. But, we need them more frequently than once a year. In fact, we need those things every day.
We should take small steps every day to demonstrate our appreciation to those who love, support and encourage us (whether they are our “mothers” or not). The love behind most official Mother’s Day traditions exists 365 days a year – why not show it more often!
And, we need to get better at communicating our needs. I can’t tell you how many times I cried to Derek in the first year of AE’s life that I just wanted him to tell me what a good job I was doing. I also learned to look to my Father for some of those “job well done” remarks that my heart longed for.
I think nothing of telling Derek I need his help with AE, so I can either tackle some work difficult to do with a toddler in tow, or so I can do nothing at all. It took us a little while to develop our system for mommy breaks and daddy-daughter time, but we continued at it until we found a rhythm that works for our family.
So, let me tell you what my wonderful {Mother’s Day} weekend looked like:
– I stripped all our beds and remade them with clean sheets, as I do every weekend. Then, as I slid into my fresh sheets Saturday night, I refused to ponder how long I had in them before a crying, sick girl needed my embrace again, and instead delighted in the amazing comfort that is clean sheets.
– I ate the delicious oatmeal pancakes that my awesome husband made Sunday morning, just as he does every weekend. Then, I cleaned up the kitchen (Gasp! I did dishes on Mother’s Day!) as I (almost) always do to thank him for making us such a yummy breakfast.
– I received text messages from girlfriends who don’t wait for one particular day to speak words of encouragement and love into my life.
– I called my own amazing mom, just as I do every day. I sought her wisdom and listened to her stories, as I so often do, hopefully conveying the truth that I am so blessed to call her not just mom, but also dear friend.
– I received a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers that my husband picked up at the grocery store as he was doing some shopping. Then, I thanked God that I married a man who also brought me a similar bouquet a few weeks ago, for no apparent reason.
– I spoke words of love and anticipation to the baby boy doing somersaults in my womb as I stroked him from outside my belly.
– I held my sweet, sweet daughter when she wanted to be held, played when she wanted to play and rested when she was resting. I delighted in her, as I long to do every day.
I don’t need the world’s view of Mother’s Day. I need eyes to see the love and appreciation that fill my life and my heart, every day!
How is every day Mother’s Day for you? What small steps do you take regularly to express gratitude to those who “mother” you? I’d love to hear in the comments!
