We’re mothers to our own experience!
Food for Thought
I find this story enlightening: two brothers with alcoholic parents were interviewed and asked to what did they attribute their station in life.
The first man was an alcoholic, living on the streets, who answered “What do you expect with parents like mine?”
The second was a successful business man, active in his community, with a loving family. He answered “What do you expect with parents like mine?”
They had perceived their experiences differently, using them as an excuse or a lesson, and thus created their own lives as a result of that choice.
As each of us is currently an adult, we have undoubtedly forfeited using our parents (or lack of) as…
- an excuse for our situation,
- a reason for our problems,
- a cause of our poor self esteem.
Whether or not we feel we were blessed by our experiences with our mother, we can still be the creator, sustainer, nurturer to ourselves. It’s our choice.
And now for some definite answers on this special Mother’s Day from some 2nd graders’ responses to the questions below:
Who’s the boss at your house? Mom, you can tell by room inspections. She sees the stuff under the bed.”
Why did God make mothers? “She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.”
What one thing would you change about her? “I’d like her to get rid of those invisible eyes in the back of her head.”
What thoughts and feelings come up for you as you enjoy this opportunity to reflect on the meaning of “mothering”?