This May I’ll be celebrating my third Mother’s Day and instead of wishing for some much-needed sleep or some alone time, I’m taking a different approach to the celebration altogether; I’m thinking of other moms.
For years I’ve dreamt of hosting a huge Mother’s Day banquet for all the great moms in my life: my aunts, godmother, cousins, friends, and of course, my own mother. It’d be a beautiful event, only the best, for my favorite moms. Much like high tea, I’d have the best silverware, place settings, croissants and scones, and champagne flowing everywhere. Everyone would be dressed in pretty florals, possibly hats. Maybe we’d even have some fun raffles like a TV, or something that I recently won in a raffle: cleaning services! I’d gather all the moms and make a great speech about how they’ve influenced me as a woman and mom. The problem with my dream is that, well, it’s a dream. I always seem to remember my great idea the month before Mother’s Day, hardly enough time to plan such an event.
When I think about it more, I realize that the where or the how is not as important as the what. What I want my fellow moms to know is that they are inspiring. They have inspired me, and they are definitely inspiring their own children whether they think so or not.
I’ve definitely learned little nuggets of motherly wisdom from the women in my life. I see the way the older generation has transitioned from young mothers to empty-nesters and grandmothers. Yes, they’re totally different with their grandkids than they were with their own children. It’s to be expected. I see my cousins, whom I’ve grown up with, and am in awe of their own unique parenting styles. They are sweet and tender and extremely creative with the things they do as a family. My friends and fellow moms are always there to listen to my parenting woes and give great advice. Whenever I’m feeling conflicted about something, we can share stories and relate. And of course, my own mom has been there for me every step of the way in this journey. She’s proud of the mother I’m becoming and a lot of that is owed to her. I understand the choices she’s made as a mother, even when I didn’t get it as a child. That’s the beauty of becoming a mom, you get other moms, especially your own.
Maybe next year I’ll actually throw that beautiful banquet for all the great moms in my life. But either way, I want them to know that they have, and continue, to inspire me in my parenting journey.
