Saturday, May 9, 2009

They call me MOM

You might call me crazy
But I really do not like this holiday we call "Mother's Day"
Allow me to explain

Sunday morning:
Along with gathering my lesson materials, shower, make-up, hair, wardrobe decisions, all of which I have a time management planned for, I suddenly am expected to eat breakfast (something I never do on Sun. morning. I usually eat a banana on the way to church.) and sit down while the family presents me with cards and a gift.
Please don't think I am ungrateful! For I truly am.
No, I am embarrassed by the fuss.
I love this little group of people I call MINE. There is not one thing that I do for them for which I desire to be compensated in any way, shape or form.
Perhaps if I did not not care for them so much I might desire the praise and attention.
Next:
It's off to church where the talks will no doubt reflect on the role of woman and mother.
I sit in our chapel and am overwhelmed by feelings of guilt.
I am not as kind
I am not as good
I am not as perfect
loving, tender, sweet, etc. etc. etc.
I can never be what all these speakers orate about. I am just me. Wacky, free-spirited, flying by the seat of my pants more often than not. That pedestal is far too lofty for me.
And finally:
Despite all the things I've said so far, I will still end up feeling disappointed with those I love most on this day.
Somehow, I will expect that this time truly will be a break from the work.
My hubby and children will step up this time and take care of those task usually allocated just to me. Sadly, inevitably, they will still be my tasks. And I will once again feel guilty for expecting more.

Did that all just sound like gloom and doom?
Ugh!
That is not the mood with which I approached this post!
So, to brighten things up I want to share some fun pictures with you.
Years ago a friend gave me a book titled "Mother".
It's a picture book, or coffee table book.
It was created by a super talented photographer named Judy Olausen.
If any of you reuse these pictures off my site, please be sure and give her the credit she deserves! Especially since I am probably breaking all kinds of copyright laws.
The subject in the book is actually her own mother. She says of her that she discovered her mother to have a 'rubber face'. An ability to convey any and all emotion.
I have laughed at the pictures in this book more times than I can tell you. While the book is really about the role of mothers and women in the 50's, I believe that mothers now can still relate to certain pictures.
So now I share with you 3 of my favorites!

"Mother goes to Market"
Oh can I ever relate! Yes, this too is my cross to bear!

"Return to Sender"
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Need I say more?


"Domestic Hoofer"
Yes. Yes, I am.
Happy Mother's Day anyway!

4 comments:

Crissie said...

Happy Mother's Day. I love the photos from your book. This is an awkward holiday. The premise is very nice, but I agree that it brings the recipient's expectation up to a level that is sure to disappoint in the end. I love ya!

AB said...

You are not wrong! Wishing you happiness today anyway.

Stephanie said...

Me and Mother's Day have come to an agreement. I agree that being a mother is an amazing responsibility that I truly love and Mother's Day has agreed to leave me alone the other 364 days of the year.

You are fantastic, just the way you are! Happy Mother's Day to a fantastic mom!

Shawn said...

You're an awesome mom! And I totally know how you feel about your family picking up the tasks just for one day! I actually made pancakes for the family on Sunday! What's up with that!?! Ha, oh well, I guess as a mother we just keep going. Hope you had a good day!