Learning Through Motherhood: A Tribute and Birthday Message to My Mother + Printable Mother’s Day Art

Last year this time I was pregnant with my son, and even though I celebrated Mother’s Day last year and every one wished me a happy one, this year is my first official one.  My son is 6 months old, and in 6 months I’ve really learned what it means to be a mother.  I know I have so much more to learn, as he gets older and as my husband and I, God-willing, add more to our brood.  My learning though motherhood will exceed well past my children turning 18 and becoming responsible for themselves.  I know this because, my mom has a 36 year old, 33 year old, and a 28 year old and she’s still learning something new everyday about motherhood.

I’ve seen her persevere through adversity, accept the things she can not change, and give everything she has for her children.  In her 60 years, she’s been through so much.  Divorce, loosing her parents, career changes, being injured, and so much more.  I look at her and think, “How has this woman made it?”, “How has she triumphed through so much hardship sometimes?”  My answer, and I believe God instill this in my heart, is that she is a Blessed soul.  My mom is a unique person, you can see something special in hers eyes.  Strength, honor, and integrity, but she didn’t need to become a Marine, like me, to have those.  She is a loyal as they come.  She would have been a great officer and leader, but God had a different plan for her.  Not that she ever wanted to join the military or be in any said position anyway.

She is a smart woman, much smarter and wiser than I’ll ever be.  Her birth right, God-given talents and abilities, and life experience are all responsible for that.  I will never live the life my mother has lived.  Though she’d love it if I thought just like her, but prefers that I do (sometimes kicking and screaming, and scratching her head).  That’s what makes her such a wonderful mother, she allows her children to be just them.  She’s never tried to change us, only tried to better us.  I can not remember a time when my mother has not been there for me.  The woman drove to Virginia countless times when I was in the military, a 600 mile, 10-12 hr drive just to see me.  Sometimes this was right after she got off work or during the busy holiday season, when she could have been doing a million other things and most importantly taking care of herself (something I would like her to do more!).

The woman has a heart of gold, there’s no denying that.  I know I am blessed, because I have her as a mother.  I was blessed to be able to come to this world, live my life, and birth my son, because she had me.  I understand the sacrifice it takes to be pregnant and birth a child.  I’m learning everyday how much of one it is to raise a child.  I’m learning everyday, from my mom, the love, diligence, and patience (which I didn’t think I was born with, until I had my son) it takes to be a mother.

I used to often wonder why my mom could hear us peeping through the house at night.  Or how she could tell us to stop doing something without even turning around.  Now I know, its because she knows us through and through.  She’s been there from the beginning, the first breath, first tear, first step, everything!  Its amazing to be able to see another human being grow from such a small and helpless little person to a fully grown able bodied one.  Although, I’ve learned from her that, you never stop loving, you never stop caring, the concern never goes away.  And it doesn’t.  I know I’ll be worried for the rest of my life (in a good way), because I’m a mother and its the best feeling in the world.

I’ve learned that once your a mother, you are always one the clock.  We don’t get to punch out at the end of the day or take weekends off.  My mom never takes a second off and I want to be just like her.  The insurmountable diligence, care, and love it takes to me a mother are just a few things I’ve learned from my mom.  Those are things are at the essence of motherhood what matters most.

I’m so thankful to have been born to such a wonderful and lovely woman, a blessed soul, and all around great person.  There is no one like her, and I only aspire to be.  As she embarks on this new journey of being a grandmother (or Mi-Ma), I know my son and future children are so blessed to have her as their grandmother.  She loves my son more than I know I could understand.  To her, she is just like one of her own.  After so many years of raising kids, she still has enough love in her heart to love her grandchildren just the same.  Its amazing, she’s amazing, she’s my MOM!

Happy 60th Birthday Mommy!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Here’s to many, many, many more to come!

My best friend, confidant, laughing buddy, my mom Clarisse, I love you!

My mom is a beautiful woman, and as with all things beautiful they inspire art.  I thought I’d shared with you an inspired piece of Mother’s Day art that I created, so that you may share it with the mothers in your life.

You can download the printable here

Happy Mother’s Day all the mothers out there.  I wish you many blessings and hope you have a truly wonderful day!

xxoo,