Happy Mother’s Day!

Hi neighbors. I hope everyone gets to visit their mother for Mother’s Day. I hope all mothers get to see their children on Mother’s Day. Unfortunately there are those mothers who have never had children, or have lost their children through death or estrangement.

We have a word for children who have lost their parents; we call them orphans. But what about those parents, mothers, who have lost their children? Women whose husbands have died are called widows. Women whose children have died have no label to identify them to society as someone with a deep hole in their hearts.

There are mothers who, for whatever reasons, give their children up for adoption. I am certain this decision is never made easily or without good reason. Most have the hopes for a better life for their child then they could give them.

Some mothers develop a disease or other medical condition that makes it impossible for them to take care of their children and face the choice of giving their children to someone else in better health to care for them.

Although not a new development, some women choose to be surrogate mothers for people they know, or don’t know, and dedicate their body and health to bringing a childless couple’s baby into the world.

Other women who cannot have children for personal or health reasons, offer their time and child care skills to other people’s children as nannies, babysitters, or caregivers to satisfy their need to have children in their lives.

Let’s not forget the women who do not desire a child, who have no intention of becoming a mother or child care giver in any form. That doesn’t mean these women do not affect the lives of adults and children alike through their careers and lives.

There are women who choose to be teachers. Even if they have children of their own, they choose to use their skills as educators and their instincts for parenting, to help other people’s children prepare for their place in the world and society.

Many teachers who work with kindergarten, first, and second grade children; often hear themselves referred to as “Mom” by their young students. They accept this as a reflection of the fact that mother or grandmother have been the main female adult in that child’s life; and the teacher joins that close circle of female adults in the child’s references.

Doctors, nurses, health caregivers, female police officers and even female job supervisors, also fit loosely the title of a mother figure as they offer sympathy, advice and skilled assistance for problem solving — another attribute most often associated with the role of one’s mother. Although the offer of a Mother’s Day card, flowers or candy to any of these mother figures seems inappropriate to most of us, it never hurts to keep in mind how we respond to these people. Simply letting them know with a smile and simple “thank you” for them doing their duty in their role in society will probably be appreciated.

You can make a pregnant woman’s day by getting her a “mother-in-waiting” card for Mother’s Day. Most expectant mothers cannot wait to hold their baby in their arms and they are already mothers in their hearts as well as in their wombs.

If you are fortunate enough to be a mother, prepare for some rather strange gifts from small children. Be sure to keep those handmade Mother’s Day cards for future reference. If your child is older, you might expect breakfast in bed (maybe at five in the morning!). Cherish these signs of love because by the time your child is a teen, open displays of affection towards, or from, their mothers become an embarrassment to them. Luckily, expressions of love via a card or gift are still considered “do-able” and they usually show great concern for finding the perfect card or candy for your special day. It is not always necessary to leave reminders around the house about upcoming Mother’s Day expectations; but it never hurts to drop hints in case your children (particularly teens) are too preoccupied to remember the date.

If you are a grandmother, you are lucky enough to be mother to two or more generations!

Don’t forget women who may be alone in life now after a full life of raising their family. Visiting them for a short while on Mother’s Day will be good for both of you. Get your children involved in visiting nursing homes and meeting elders who may not have family close enough to visit them.

Until the next time friends remember everyone has a mother. If you can be with yours for Mother’s Day – please do. Enjoy the day!