Here is to the moms. The expecting moms, the new moms, the first-time moms, the experienced moms, the corporate moms, the struggling moms, the exhausted moms, the multi-tasking moms…. All of these “moms” describe me at some point in my life.
Mother’s Day memories are marked with a general feeling of gratefulness for not only my ability to be a mom but also grateful to still have my mom. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that without the selfless donation of a liver to my mom 18 years ago, she would not be with us today. When I reflect on what key trait I inherited from my mom, it would be a quiet determination to get what you want and deserve, eventually. My mom is determined. People that know her would probably not say this is the first character that jumps out at them to describe her, that is because she is quiet about it. She keeps her determination close to her chest.
I on the other hand am NOT quiet about my determination. I am incredibly loud and sometimes obnoxious about it. I am certain that the loudness came from my father. There are times the loudness works against me as a female in the workplace and there are many times I wish I could have more of my mom’s quiet (almost stealth) disposition.
The thing about being a mom and a working mom (my mom was both also); there is little time for us. The balance and boundary thing often gets out of whack, and it is our natural tendency to take care of everyone else first. There are days that we do not eat, sleep, sit down, take a deep breath or even think straight; however, there is NEVER a day that we have the option to just stay in bed.
On this Mother’s Day weekend, I suggest that all moms have some kind of determination within them. Whether it is quiet and stealth like my mom or loud and often abrasive like mine. When it comes to working moms, the determination to love our babies and engage in our careers at the same time is undeniable. This weekend let’s use that determination for our own benefit.
Be determined this weekend to rest, be determined to stop and sit. Use your determination to enjoy, to smell and hold your baby, hug your teenager, listen to your child read you a story. If you are blessed to have her, call your mom and tell her what one thing you learned from her. My mom will read this blog as she does every week, but I will call her anyway. I will sit with my teenage boys; listen to anything they will divulge about their lives and hug them long and hard. I will be determined this weekend to put aside the work and the career and just be a mom.
The Heart of the Middle 