Momma

Some of us do not have the ability to tell our mothers what we think or want them to know. Others of us have, but have not taken the chance. These are the things I had to tell my mother when I had the chance.

She is sharp as a tack, but somehow I don’t think she would understand a word of what I would say to her. We went our own ways, and mine is so far from hers. I need to tell her all I have learned.

Momma and I

Momma could answer every question I had, even when the answer was I’ll have to find out for you. It would be decades before I knew how much of her patience it expended and the time commitment that entailed.

Momma could soothe away tears, even when I thought she caused them. I would need my own teenagers to find out how difficult a child’s tears could be for a mother to see.

Momma was forgiving of things I did and said. For the things she should not have forgiven, she was fair, even if I thought the punishment was too severe. Punishing my own children for the things they do let me know discipline is something you must give to your children even if you want to laugh at what they have done.

Momma was strong, especially when I really wanted her to give in to my want-du-jour. In retrospect, I wonder why I thought I wanted those things in the first place. On the other hand, she knew the value of a good gift. After many instances of getting precisely what I asked for, I have learned to ask for far better.

Mothers Three ~ Four Generations

Momma could sit for hours stroking my hair as I lay ill in the bed. I now know it hurt her to see me in pain of any variety.

Momma laughed with me many times, although about half of those times I believed she was laughing at me. Watching my own little ones, I feel the mirth she could not contain.

Momma knew what was best, even though I knew she had no idea how the world worked. She has gotten so worldly as I have aged.

Momma said thank you, even for the live toads and snakes or yarn and noodle necklaces we presented to her as presents. Handmade gems fill my treasure chest, and for them I am truly grateful.

Momma loved me, even when I didn’t love myself. I wish I had never had to return the favor or felt the pain of loving someone who did not love themselves.

I miss Momma, even if she is but at the end of a telephone line. Independence has its price, even if you find out too late how dear.

Momma and I

Maybe, just maybe, I understand why Momma always said she wanted a commune in the mountains where we could all live together under the shelter of the trees. As a child, I could not appreciate how precious the closeness was. I long to have it again.

I am thankful, too. Momma is still here. I can still place her Mother’s Day flowers in her hand. She raised me to be grateful.

Happy Mother's Day, Momma.

~~~~~~~~~

If you have the chance, tell your mother those things you have learned from her and the things you would like for her to know. If you cannot, have a moment of silence to remember them. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers of M3.

Red.

(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2008-2012
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30 Comments

  1. A Beautiful Posting Red…

    Androgoth XXx

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 13, 2012

      Thank you, Andro. Enjoy the rest of your morning. Have an extra cuppa for me, as I am certain I am returning to bed. 😉

      Reply
  2. Happy Mother’s Day Red 🙂
    Friggin Loon recently posted..Happy Mother’s DayMy Profile

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    • Red

       /  May 13, 2012

      Thank you, sweet Loon. Happy Mother’s Day to you, as well (a month late…I know yours was last month). xxx

      Reply
      • No, ours is the same day. ChrysantheMUMS are the standard gift Down Under. 🙂 Sinus begone
        Friggin Loon recently posted..Warning To Slow Moving CyclistsMy Profile

        Reply
        • Red

           /  May 13, 2012

          See, I thought you celebrated it the same time as the Brits and Canadians. Ah well. Should really check the calendar. Mums…*shudder* Very glad to announce my present was designed of construction paper. *Grins*

          Reply
          • The Canadians celebrate the same Mother’s Day as you do!
            Binky recently posted..Full BrainMy Profile

          • Red

             /  May 14, 2012

            Apparently, Fraz and I are suffering the same malady…

  3. Beautiful tribute to Mom 🙂
    Angela Young recently posted..Um, “Happy” Mother’s Day–Part IIMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 13, 2012

      Thank you, Angie. I hope you had a terrific Mother’s Day.

      Reply
  4. Beautiful post Red…those photos are so lovely specially the four generations…what a blessing it is to experience it…
    Beautiful tibute 🙂
    Soma Mukherjee recently posted..Ma-माँMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 14, 2012

      Thank you, Soma. I have been blessed by a large family all of my life. I have photographs of both four and five generations. One of my most prized possessions is a portrait of my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, myself and my daughter (the one in this picture). Only my mother was not the eldest of her generation…the other four of us are the matriarchs of our generations.

      You can imagine all of our surprise when my daughter had a son first. Quite a family anomaly. My grandson is the first patriarch in more than 100 years and 8 generations.

      Reply
  5. Every Sunday it is lunch at my inlaws and dinner with my mom. So grateful to be able to do that.
    Bearman recently posted..Attachment Parenting Editorial CartoonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 14, 2012

      When I move back home, it will be that way again. I miss being able to have lunch with Momma and Poppa every week.

      Reply
  6. Beautiful story, beautiful last picture depicting a woman who has a lot of love to give.
    It is nice when our children grow up and realize that everything you have done, you have done out of a love that cannot be compared in the human experience. Thank you for this post. You have brought tears to my eyes. Not quite 21, my daughter has been expressing her gratitude to me for about 2 years now. She made my Mother’s Day very special.
    It is a good thing that you do here, giving honor to your mom.
    Linnea Larsen recently posted..Another TimeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 14, 2012

      I make a point to tell her pretty regularly. My older ones started telling me before they were in their twenties. It is always a good thing. Here’s hoping the younger sets follow suit. Stop by the Green Room (link on the top menu bar) and leave a link to your blog so the M3 Readers can find you, Linnea.

      Reply
  7. I hope your mother has a chance to read this piece, Red… she sounds like a wonderful woman, and suspect she would really appreciate all the thought and effort you’ve put into it.
    AND I hope that you had a wonderful Mother’s Day as well, of course!
    🙂
    spilledinkguy recently posted..A First DraftMy Profile

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    • Red

       /  May 14, 2012

      I did have a good one. I got a nap. By far, it is the best present ever. Momma has had a chance to read this. She is just shy in the comment box. 😉

      Reply
  8. I really enjoyed your Mother’s Day post, Red. And thank you for sharing the family photos too…that made it even better. I can tell you really love and respect your mother. And am glad you still have the chance to let her know how you feel about her…I’m sure it means a lot to her.
    Happy Mother’s Day, Red, and to you and your mother.
    Love and Hugs XXx
    Deb recently posted..Stormy SunsetMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 14, 2012

      Thank you, Deb. I hope you have time to cruise through all the Mother’s Day posts. You can see all of my children, finally. {HUGZ} xxx

      Reply
      • I’ve been browsing through your Mother’s Day posts this morning over coffee. I’ve really enjoyed them all. Loved the photo of your children…they’re beautiful, Red!
        Hugs xx
        Deb recently posted..Stormy SunsetMy Profile

        Reply
        • Red

           /  May 15, 2012

          Oh, thank you, Deb. I am glad you got to see them all. I love them all. They are each so very special. <3 {HUGZ} Red. xxx

          Reply
  9. Happy belated Mother’s Day! That was a very nice post.
    Binky recently posted..Full BrainMy Profile

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  10. Great reminder for Mother’s Day. I hope you had a good one yourself.
    Derek Mansker recently posted..As you can see, it was a good day.My Profile

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