SFPNN Special Edition – 05/09/08 – The Truth About Mothers

Join us on-line at: http://www.sfpnn.com/

________________________________________________________________


— Thanks to author, Joseph Walker, for today's Special Edition


THE TRUTH ABOUT MOTHERS
By Joseph Walker

            “You know, sometimes I really hate Mother’s Day.”          

            I’ve heard that sentiment expressed several times in my life.  Once from a colleague who had, you know, “mother issues.”  Once on the 50th birthday of a dear friend, whose lifelong dream of actually being a mother had so far eluded her.  And once from a brother-in-law whose Mother’s Day gift to my sister was . . . shall we say, coldly received (how was he to know that her off-hand comment that she needed a new ironing board was NOT a hint?).

            But yesterday I heard it from someone who caught me completely off-guard with the comment: my wife, Anita.

            Anita is, in my view, the consummate mother. From the first time I ever spoke seriously to her about her dreams and ambitions, I knew that being a mother was not just a priority to her – it was THE priority. And she is amazingly good at it, and has been from the moment she found out she was expecting our first child, about two months after we were married.  She loves her children fiercely, she serves them tirelessly and she prays for them faithfully.

Which is not to say that she is a “perfect” mother. To be honest, I’m not sure such a thing actually exists. Anita makes mistakes, just as we all do, even when it comes to things about which we care deeply.  And Anita cares deeply about her children and the choices they make in their lives – perhaps too deeply, sometimes.

That’s why it was a little surprising to hear her say . . . you know . . . what she said about Mother’s Day.  I mean, she loves being a mother.  I know that.  So it naturally follows that she should love Mother’s Day.

Doesn’t it?

It’s stuff like this,” she said, responding to the question that must have been clearly in my eyes. She read from an article in our church newsletter: “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.”

“That’s Abraham Lincoln,” I said. “But I don’t think he meant anything by it.  I mean, his mother was dead at the time, so technically she really WAS an angel. Right?”

Anita gave me that look she gives me when I think I’m being clever but I’m really just being sort of a dork.

“Of course it was Abraham Lincoln,” she said.  “His wife never would have said anything like that.”

“Well, as I understand it, Mary Todd Lincoln was . . . you know . . . sort of . . . nuts.”

“This is not about the Lincolns,” Anita said.  “This is about mothers. And mothers aren’t angels.  They aren’t saints.  They aren’t heroines.  They aren’t martyrs. They’re just . . . mothers, doing the best they can for their families.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” I asked.

“Nothing,” Anita said.  “That’s my point. I love my mother, and I know that she loves me.  And for us, that’s enough.  I don’t have to turn her into something that she isn’t in order to honor her on Mother’s Day.”

I’ve been thinking about that a lot this week as Mother’s Day approaches. And I’ve decided that Anita, as usual, is right.  The whole “angel mother” thing is over-rated.  I mean, who can relate to that?  How much better to have a flesh and blood mother who is real.  Because that’s what mothers are: regular, ordinary women who are sometimes amazing, and sometimes not. But right or wrong, angelic or not, they’re doing the best that they can for their families.

And who can hate something like that?

— © Joseph Walker

For more articles from Joseph Walker, please  check out his weekly column, ValueSpeak, at: http://www.sfpnn.com/joseph_walker1.htm

E-mail Joseph at: valuespeak@msn.com 

* * * CHECK OUT Joseph Walker’s LATest bookS! * * *

Click to find out more or order your copy of these uplifting collections:

Look What Love Has Done: Five-Minute Messages to Lift Your Spirit. 

"How Can You Mend a Broken Spleen? Home Remedies for an Ailing World."

 


* * * 

Find all of your favorite SFPNN Special Editions in one place at: http://www.sfpnn.com/pnn_special_edition.htm

Also look for our Soul Magic series!  http://www.sfpnn.com/soul_magic.htm

For current and back issues of Sir Froggie's Positive News Network, go to: http://www.sfpnn.com/pnn_current_issues.htm

______________________________________________________________


Ask me about Angel Therapy®, Reiki and Theta Healing!
(Click to e-mail.)


For help receiving Divine guidance, healing energy and positive life changes, e-mail Jeanette (SFPNN’s Editor) or visit the following webpages for more information:


Angel Therapy®:  http://www.sfpnn.com/ask_your_angels.htm

Reiki: http://www.sfpnn.com/reiki.htm

Theta Healing: http://www.sfpnn.com/theta_healing.htm


Sessions may be done in person, over the phone, or even via e-mail in some instances.


________________________________________________________________



sfpnn subscription information  


We welcome you to share your sfpnn
s with others but please note…
SFPNN is NOT "spam" and may only be received through a confirmed free subscription request from yourself or from someone who wished to give you a subscription as a gift.

To SUBSCRIBE to Sir Froggie's Positive News Network, click on the following link and enter the appropriate information:  

http://www.sfpnn.com/subscribe_to_pnn1.htm

To change your existing subscription to a different e-mail address, or to UNSUBSCRIBE, use the link at the bottom of your individual issue.  


________________________________________________________________


submission guidelines

If you’ve got a story you would like to submit to Sir Froggie’s Positive News Network, please visit the following link for our Submission Guidelines.  This is the best way to get your work published in our e-zine.  Thanks for sharing!

http://www.sfpnn.com/Submission%20Guidelines.htm

________________________________________________________________


This and every issue of SFPNN is dedicated to MISTY, a tiny angel who taught us to love unconditionally and bask in the glory and joy of each moment.

For more information about Misty, please read Misty’s Miracle at:  http://www.sfpnn.com/SoulMagic/Soul2001/sm040601.htm  and visit our Reflections of a Zen Master / Fuzzy Tales page at: http://www.sfpnn.com/misty.htm .


________________________________________________________________


"ONLY LOVE PREVAILS"     — © Beverley Waller