Thoughts on Motherhood ~

Years ago, I was given a book for Mother’s Day. To me, it looked like one of those ‘gift books’ that was super corny and I would never really read. So, there it sat, on my shelf, for years. Then one day, a few months ago, I was having one of those moments where I felt completely overwhelmed with motherhood. One of those days where I wanted Calgon to ‘take me away’…or maybe even summon The Goblin King (you’ve seen The Labyrinth, right??) But, seeing as how The Goblin King and Calgon were unavailable, I found myself in my office, scrolling through the books on my shelf, looking for something…anything…that would be comforting.

And, yes. There was that corny ‘gift book,’ just waiting for me. It’s called, I Am A Mother by Jane Clayson. Do you remember Jane? She was a host on Good Morning America, The Early Show, 48 Hours, CBS Evening News…the list goes on. Anyway, I snagged the book off the shelf, and started reading. It took me about one minute to realize that I had literally judged this book by it’s cover. I LOVED it! It was empowering, thought provoking, and comforting…just when I needed it.

Today, in honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite quotes from the book, that really stood out to me:

“I know what I gave up so that I could be a mother during this season of my life. But, I also know what I gave it up for. I traded in fancy lunches in fancy restaurants for rice cereal and bunny-shaped macaroni and cheese. There’s no one to do my hair and makeup anymore. Some mornings I’m lucky to squeeze in a shower. When I get up at 4:00 a.m. these days, it’s not to be chauffeured to a television studio. Instead, you’ll find me huddled near a nightlight, lulling a little baby (or two!) back to sleep. No more pats on the back for booking exclusive interviews. They don’t give awards for best diaper change of the day. And, I don’t get a paycheck that can be cashed at any bank. Now, my compensation comes in packages money can’t buy.”

“In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service. We pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mothers Day and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don’t extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant, or a judge. I believe the choice to become a mother ris the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that’s stimulating and nurturing, to pass on a sense of responsibility to another human being, to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything – I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands we hold the power to transform perception of motherhood…We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as ‘just a mom.’ It is on her back that great nations are built.” ~ Oprah Winfrey, The O Magazine, 66.

“Still the sanctity of motherhood can be hard to appreciate when you spend endless hours making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, singing along with Elmo, helping create elaborate science projects, or enforcing late-night curfews. Many in the world will shout that motherhood is full of small, mundane tasks. And certainly, if you look only on the surface, this is true. But underneath all of the secondary things mothers do – cook, clean, read, chauffeur, nurse, and so on – is a mother’s real occupation and, I believe, the definition of true success. Webster defines occupation as “the principal business of one’s life.” The principal business of a mother’s life is loving and nurturing her children; it is teaching them, by example, how to pass on that love and thereby strengthening the world around them.”

“If you can control YOUR behavior when everything around you is out of control, you can model for your children a valuable lesson in patience and understanding…and snatch an opportunity to shape character.””She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through the generations to come…long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity…, she is co-partner with the Creator himself.” ~ David O. McKay

“The more skillful the caregiver, the more invisible her efforts become. Ideally, the recipients themselves don’t even notice that they are being cared for, other than to accept caring as part of the natural order of things…Like the work of a fine seamstress, the tiny stitches that build character and confidence are invisible to the eye.” ~ Ann Crittenden

Happy Mother’s Day, my friends!

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Comments

Jana says

May 14, 2012 at 12:34 am

Somedays being a Mom is exhausting & I could use a pick me up, and this book sounds like it would be perfect. Thanks Mariel…and Happy Mother’s Day to you!!
Jana says

May 14, 2012 at 12:35 am

Somedays being a Mom is exhausting & I could use a pick me up, and this book sounds like it would be perfect. Thanks Mariel…and Happy Mother’s Day to you!!
Jana says

May 14, 2012 at 4:30 am

Beautiful! I believe I need to read this book; this is the 2nd blog I’ve read about it in the past 10 minutes. I think I could use it. Thanks for sharing.
Jana says

May 14, 2012 at 4:30 am

Beautiful! I believe I need to read this book; this is the 2nd blog I’ve read about it in the past 10 minutes. I think I could use it. Thanks for sharing.

Thoughts on Motherhood ~

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