Reflecting on Mother's Day

One evening last week, I found myself completely exhausted. This is not always true at 5 p.m. But as I glanced at the clock, I felt a tinge of envy as I thought of my friends who are either single or have older children. I often hear of them going to bed early when they are tired.

But alas, I myself had dinner to cook, dishes to wash, three baths to oversee, homework to help with, lunches to pack and clothes to set out for the next day. I was worn out and reflected upon how Mother's Day is approaching.

I took a moment, as I cooked, to think upon the value of moms. Mothers are managers, which is an extensive job. In addition to careers, they have the role of being a wife, mother, cook, nurse, teacher, therapist, taxi driver ? the list goes on. I had worn many of these hats by the time 10 p.m. rolled around, only to be awakened at 5:30 a.m. by our youngest child to start it all again.

My own mother performed similar tasks, and her mother before her. I think that is what surprised me most about becoming a mother ? it's amazing that delights are mingled with exhaustion. Your sleep is not your own. Simple things that you used to take for granted, like the pleasure of a meal, are forgotten for years at a time when children are small. Motherhood causes you to give up a great deal, yet gain so much more ? like breathing in the scent of your child's hair as they lean against you to hear a bedtime story.

I heard a news report this week stating what a mother's work is worth ? over $100,000 a year. I consider that to be true, but recognize that in a larger sense, mothers are priceless.

My own mother and grandmother poured themselves into my life. I remember my grandma taking me for a walk before I began kindergarten to meet a neighbor who would attend school with me ? just so I would have a friend. She also taught me as a teenager that anyone could be cheap, but it takes someone special to be a lady. I have committed to memory these precious lessons.

Now, as I raise my own children, I realize that much has changed in our society. Yes, I have a part-time career and ministry, but I still do the cooking, bathing, tutoring, taxi driving, school volunteering, nursing and spiritual and emotional support. Women have the ability to juggle many things and still run a household and raise children.