For all the mothers (tissues may be needed)

[ftmom]

A friend just passed this on, and I had to share it with all of you:

This is for all the mothers who froze their buns off on metal bleachers at football games Friday night instead of watching from cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here."

This is for all the mothers of Kosovo who fled in the night and can't find their children.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

For all the mothers of the victims of the Colorado shooting, and the mothers of the murderers. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to School alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a school shooting, a fire, a car accident, a baby dying?

So this is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all
the mothers who wanted to but just couldn't.

This is for reading "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And reading it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who mess up. Who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair and stomp their feet like a tired 2-year old who wants ice cream before dinner.

This is for all the mothers who taught their daughters to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

For all the mothers who bite their lips-sometimes until they bleed-when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

Who lock themselves in the bathroom when babies keep crying and won't stop.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home.

This is for mothers who put pinwheels and teddy bears on their children's graves.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the mothers who sent their sons to school with stomachaches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse and hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation.

And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all.

So hang in there.

Please pass along to all the moms in your life.
"Home is what catches you when we fall - and we all fall."

PLEASE PASS THIS TO A WONDERFUL MOTHER YOU KNOW.

(I JUST DID)

[lizsmom]

I've never posted here before,but I had to post to say how beautiful this was...unfortunately, I am one of those mothers who puts pinwheels and teddy bears on a grave. This touched me very deeply. Thanks so much.

[sweetcindy]

Thank you...this is beautiful.

Lizsmom...I can't begin to imagine how that must feel...((((hugs)))) and prayers to you.

Cindy

[Mouse7088]

I saw this quite a long time ago and I still had the same reaction tonight as I did then...not a dry eye here. Thanks ftmom for posting this..I think a lot of us can relate to this in one way or another. I'm just sorry that some of you can relate to the more tragic.

[chippers21]

So sorry lizsmom.
Mothers are so important, that's why I am saddened by the prevalence of day-care these days.

[lizsmom]

You guys are great...thanks for the support. I have "lurked" around this board for awhile, it is such a wonderful gathering place, a POSITIVE place, which is unusual to find.

Again, best wishes to all, now that I finally took the leap and posted, I think that I will be hooked !!!!!

[ftmom]

Lizsmom, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I cry for my own loss so amidst tears, I want you to know if you ever need anything, I am here to chat...