These past couple of days I have been contemplating on "What is a Mother?" and here is what my noodles came up with:
Loving, friend, disciplinarian, teacher, counselor, the boss, influential, life-changing, a body guard, supportive, positive, nurturing, a role model, passionate, caring, sacrificial, bearer of children, caretaker, determined, a giver and a taker, understanding, listener, provider, brings food to the table, funny, open minded, full of wisdom, a student, a peacemaker...
There could be more, but my noodles have gotten all mushy.
Taking the name of "Mother" carries with it so much responsibility. It is a challenge that every woman makes unique to their own character and what they hope to make for their future generation. No mother wants to be a failure. They don't want to be winners. But, I do believe Mothers want to be successful in their role. Be proud of what they have accomplished. And maybe...one day, flourish in the lives of their future daughters who may also become a mother. (Remember: You don't physically have to give birth to a child to be a mother, you can adopt or raise a child who becomes your own. Think of those children in CPS looking for a good mother and father, or those children in an orphanage, or be like all of Hollywood and adopt from around the world - you become their hero)
My girls and I always call each other the "Jr.'s" of our mothers. For example, I am Norlita Jr. and we laugh and give each other a high five while laughing hysterically in total agreement. And as much as I want to say I will not be like my mother or I don't want to be like my mother or not everything I do will be like my mother, there is always a part of my mother that will become a part of me. As children, we look to our mothers as our inspiration, our role model and say to ourselves "I want to be like my mother one day," or it could be the opposite. But no matter what, in every mother lies the seed implanted by her mother, and her mother before her, and so on. So when my time comes (which is in 4.5 months), I will be sure to implant a motherly seed in my children that will grow and fertilize their children.
I know that I am focusing on the mother daughter thing, but our son's don't become mothers, they become fathers, and that is totally in left field. Sorry guys. But think of it this way: For all you men out there, look at your woman, look at their mother, and you will see what your future wife may become. And yes, that may not always be the case, but we do learn from our mothers and fathers; and eventually share that with our children. It's like tradition, we carry it forward.
I decided to Google "definition of a mother" and here a couple of definitions I picked up:
"A woman who has given birth to a child."- WorldNetWeb.com
"A female person whose egg unites with a sperm, resulting in the conception of a child." - TheFreeDictionary.com
"A woman in authority" - Merriam-Webster.com
"Maternal tenderness or affection" - Merriam-Webster.com
"A woman who has, conceived, given birth to, or raised a child in the role of a parent" - Wikipedia.com
"Hysterical passion; hysteria" - Brainyquote.com
"Something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else" - Dictionary.Reference.com
"A woman exercising control, influence" - Dictionary.Reference.com
"Mom is the one who loves you no matter what" - random comment from the Gardenweb.com
So, to all of you who take the time to read my mind: What is your definition of a mother in one word?
I will end with a poem I found online:
What Is a Mother?
A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,
To love us, whatever we do,
With a warm understanding and infinite patience,
And wonderful gentleness, too.
How often a mother means swift reassurance
In soothing our small, childish fears,
How tenderly mothers watch over their children
And treasure them all through the years!
The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness
For any mistake, big or small,
And generous always in helping her family
Whose needs she has placed above all.
A mother can utter a word of compassion
And make all our cares fall away,
She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter
And make life delightful and gay.
A mother possesses incredible wisdom
And wonderful insight and skill -
In each human heart is that one special corner
Which only a mother can fill!
- Katherine Nelson Davis
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