Happy Mother's Day

I am a mother of 5 children. My first 4 were born in 5 years, and I was a very busy mother. I remember being in tears on most Mother's Days.
My children would ask me what I wanted as a present and every year I said "Happy Children who love each other. Children do not argue, fight or whine for an entire day." That sounded like pure heaven to me. ( And a place I couldn't really visualize.)

My oldest 4 are grown now, living on their own in cities and towns far away. What I would give to have each of them here with me today, just to kiss on their faces and tell them how much I love them.

But I am happy for the cards, phone calls and even flowers they have sent my way. Today feels like a wonderful payback as I have watched my children move into adulthood.

My oldest two daughters live in Phoenix and sent flowers. I see the wonderful mother Amy has become, and the hours and hours of sacrifice she (and her husband) make in the rearing of their children. They put family first in everything they do.

Aubrey moved to Phoenix to be close to her sister and Aunt to two beautiful boys. Her favorite moments come when she is playing with her nephews. When I see my daughters supporting each other, and being best friends, I am a happy mother.

(Especially when these two girls could not even share a room growing up.)

See, things work out.

Paul is 17 and the only one still living at home. In church today his Sunday School teacher had the class make a card and write a letter of appreciation to their mothers. I am grateful to the teachers of the world who encourage our children to be thoughtful and kind.

Picture a 6 foot tall teenage boy cutting out pink flowers and gluing them to a paper with a poem. He then wrote a page long letter of the things he appreciates about me as his mother.

Wow. I cried as I read, and told him his words mean more to me than a million dollars in gold.

Mr. Cactus and Paul even MADE DINNER and DID THE DISHES, and I have spent the day feeling very spoiled.

Here I am on Mother's Day in tears again, just from another perspective.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers, step mothers, aunts, grandmothers , neighbors and women who devote countless hours to the precious children of the world.