52 Weeks of Thankfulness: Week 17, Motherhood and “Out of the Mouths of Babes”

Sylvia Plath proclaims in “Metaphors: ” I’ve eaten a bag of green apples/ boarded the train there’s no getting off, ” and I have to agree, once the seed is planted it’s full speed ahead.  Soon enough our adventures might just entail trips to the grocery store, peace time is locking ourselves in the restroom, and daily excursions are trips that carry the title “car-pool mama.” For many, including myself, this is what it means to claim motherhood. Sometimes we haven’t an idea where the train is going, but we board anyways, ticket in hand, let’s do this Mr. Conductor.  🙂

So let’s all pat ourselves on the back and consider what the Bible says of motherhood:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all” (Proverbs 31:29).

So true, I have carried many titles and none are as noble as being blessed with my three children. I’m open to the train ride. Who cares if it means being an “…elephant, a ponderous house” (Plath). God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle right? Not to mention, there is nothing more gratifying than welcoming your newborn into the world. Being “A melon strolling on two tendrils” (Plath) is worth the adventures in motherhood.

Most importantly, children do say the dearest things. Sometimes how they look at the world is so simplistic and optimistic, you can’t help but want to bottle their insights up. So in honor of Mother’s Day, I would like to share a few of my fondest memories of my own children that I am so very thankful for.

Out of the mouths of babes: 

While living in Japan, my oldest who is now in his early 20s:

Me: “I’m sorry. We can’t visit the states because I haven’t any money for an airline ticket.”

Son: (3 at the time): “But I have money. You can have all my money in my piggy-bank.”

Ahhh…. broke my heart and mended it all at one time. 

Handsome groomsmen and my brother’s wedding.  Curtis Photography 

My daughter, I think she was seven when she wrote this letter. I don’t think she meant for me to find, but I have held on for many years. She is in high school now.

Today I have no idea what I am going to do. I am going to my aunt’s house, but the only thing I bet I can do is watch TV. I surely hope B is there and A. If A is there she can make me a fortune cookie. That’s weird my mom came from Japan and she does not know how to make a fortune cookie. Really really weird! 

For some time, my daughter thought I was from Japan because I was stationed there.

My daughter and her prom date. Yesterday she was a little girl.  My photo!

A beautiful flower girl at my brother’s wedding.

And my youngest son. For now, I still get my daily dose of cuteness:

“Mommy you do have time.”

“Sit right here and play with me.”

“I’ll love you forever and ever.”

What cute things have your children uttered? I hope you take a moment to share and reflect on the gift of motherhood with me. For everyone, have a wonderful Mother’s Day! If you are currently a deployed mama, get home soon to your kiddos, and wishing you a bundle of hugs upon your arrival. If you have recently returned….welcome home!

Please accept this as my weekly offering for “52 Weeks of Thankfulness” at Haddon’s Musings. If you would like to join us, please visit Bernadette’s blog at Haddon’s Musings then click on the frog link.