“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” Agatha Christie
I will never forget my first Mother’s Day back in 2006 and what it meant to finally be able to celebrate the tiny baby that gave me the honor of becoming a mother. It was so exciting (and daunting at the same time!) and I couldn’t believe that I was actually going to be someone’s mother and take care of him for the rest of my life! I can honestly admit, that I don’t think I ever celebrated my own mother enough on her very special day until I actually had my own child and finally knew what it entailed. Sure I had given her the occasional Hallmark card or clay ashtray (even though she never smoked!) to say “thanks mom,” but I didn’t reeeallly know what all she had gone through to get me here and keep me here.
These are samples of what my two boys made me at school for mama’s day- a sweet treat cake with personal decorating (there’s nothing I like more right now than cake!), two potted plants, one with lady bug paintings and it says “to my favorite lady” and the other with no real plant but hand print paintings and sweet photos, and my paper purse with “mommy” written in glitter…perfect. These homemade items my boys made specifically for me, make me realize that maybe my mom really did like her useless ashtrays I made her!
It’s certainly not easy being a mom, and if you can find a mom that says motherhood is a breeze, I’d like her to write an instructional book and I’ll be the first person to buy a copy! Although mothering can be tiring and challenging at times, it is THE most rewarding job I can think of. I read an Oprah quote where she discusses how when women choose to become mothers, they are essentially, “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 can think of few callings more honorable. To play down mothering is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands.” Amen Oprah.
Now that I’ve got my two boys and am expecting a little girl on the way (her profile picture above, doesn’t she look like me, wink wink), I feel my mothering skills are about to be challenged in a totally different way when raising a female. Since I am in the business of making women feel better about themselves and more beautiful and confident through the use of makeup, I don’t want her to lose sight of what it truly means to be beautiful on the inside. Lipstick and powder can mask so much on a face, but it is rendered useless when it comes to masking ugly insides!!
My hopes for my children are that I can instill in them:
- confidence,
- the power of individuality,
- to be respectful of others,
- and to find their passion for something, anything, which will give them a purpose in life.
These might sound like lofty goals, but I think I’m up for the challenge. I wish all the mamas out there a very Happy Mother’s Day and to know that you are loved and cherished more than words or Hallmark can express! This especially goes out to my own mother, thanks Mom!!
