Friday, May 11, 2018

Celebrating an Unconventional Beautiful Mother's Day

The Mother's Day weekend began early this year.  On Thursday afternoon, after wheeling Cody into the house from his school bus ride home I noticed a gift bag hanging on the side of his chair. I had a heads up because his teacher had texted me earlier in the day that they were working on Mother's Day gifts in class. I held up the gift bag decorated with stickers and asked if it was for me. Cody got extremely excited. I asked him if he wanted me to open the gift even though Mother's Day was days away. I held up one hand for "yes" and the other for "no." Cody was so enthusiastic when he selected yes he was rocking in his chair. I first opened the card that read Happy Mother's Day on it and he laughed. I then had him help me pull the tissue paper out of the gift bag that revealed a picture of him on an easel. The pure joy Cody displayed in giving this gift was unlike I had ever seen. His pure joy in giving the present is my favorite part of his  gift. I may or may not have teared up.

From the time I was very young and even before I received my first beloved "baby alive" doll, I had it in my heart of hearts to be a mother one day. It's been 24 years since I celebrated my first mother's day with Hannah. This is my 17th year celebrating with Cody as well. 

If I had seen into our future what my motherhood role would look like I would have had a great deal of trepidation. This is not the conventional ideal I had envisioned. Those early days were filled with uncertainty of Cody's survival, then developmental delays, a diagnosis followed, therapies, surgery, his pain, seizures, ER visits, balancing motherhood duties and often being concerned of the time/energy/resources required with one child over the other. I'm grateful I never had that glimpse into the future because it would not have shown the whole picture. Both of my kids (now one is an adult) are a perfect addition to our family. 

No one lives out a complete "conventional" picture of what they envisioned for motherhood/parenthood. Those glossy pics in the parenting magazines I read when I was first pregnant with Hannah weren't completely accurate. Motherhood for any child (typically developing or not) includes both the beautiful aspects as well as challenges for each unique child.  I often say that parenting is not for wimps. I think that would make a great t-shirt. All children have "special needs".  

I wish all of you moms a wonderful Mother's Day every day of the year!! 

One of my greatest gifts from one of my greatest gifts.