Happy Mother's Day

Mysteries of Motherhood
adapted from Reb Bradley's poem

Mother's hearing
She does not hear her cell phone ringing in her purse, the neighbor's music, or her husband calling for another roll of toilet paper from the bathroom,
But from the other end of the house, in the middle of the night, she will hear a child's slightest whimper.

Mother's mind
She may not comprehend how to use the umpteen remote devices connected to the TV, or how to archive photos to her external hard drive,
But she understands a child's heart whenever it hurts.

Mother's strength
She may be too weak and exhausted to carry that 6th load of laundry to the washer,
But she is strong enough to intimidate any who threaten her children.

Mother's memory
She may not remember where she put her keys or the reason she walked into a room,
But she never forgets the wonderful things her children do and say.

Mother's clothes
Her clothes aren't so perfect – they're stained by baby's burps and last month's lasagna,
But each stain is a badge of love and service equal to any won by a soldier.

Mother's hands
All she sees are the lines and wrinkles in her hands, and longs for their youthful appearance,
But she forgets their wear speaks of love, devotion, and sacrifice.

Mother's shape
She sighs and moans when she cannot fit into the clothes of her youth,
But her shape and stretch marks are like battle scars which say, "Kids, you were worth it!"

Mother's eyes
The mirror tells her that her eyes lack sparkle,
But the bags and fatigue betray love that burns bright and unending.

Mother's career
She is haunted sometimes by what she could have been,
But she equips generations and shapes the world's future.

Mother's trust
She doesn't trust enough to let you near the strange dog or to climb to the tip top branch,
But she believes in you when you are discouraged and full of self doubt.

Mother's significance
She regrets her failures, mourns her anger, and dreads she is warping her children's psyches,
But she so tightly bonds her children to her heart that they will grow up, but not away.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful, caring, hard-working, generous, patient, kind, wise moms out there. Your love and devotion and tireless efforts make the world go 'round. Here's to mom!!!