All About Our Mothers
EDITED:
Many readers of this blog may know that its title, Women on the verge of Thinking, comes directly from an amazing movie by the ever so colorful and creative movie-maker, Pedro Almadovar, whose movie, Women on the verge of a Nervous Breakdown, being provocative and spell-binding, catapulted its creator into the public eye in a flash of a second. Almadovar also wrote a movie titled, All About My Mother, whose central character was a woman who was coming to terms with her own live in many ways.
As Mother's Day dawns upon us today, I began thinking about mothers, who they are, what they do, and why they are acknowledged. It is truly the case that having a good mother is a great blessing in so many ways. Mothers come in so many different shapes, sizes and dimensions, and exhibit characteristics from unconditional love, sacrifice, devotion, inspiration and dedication. There are, other types of mothers, many of whom I come in contact with each and every day in the workplace who are physically and emotionally abusive towards their children. Sometimes it is because they do not know any better, or have emotional issues of their own to deal with, resulting in unpleasant behavior towards their children. Then there are those mothers who have the best of all possible intentions, but push their children, towards success, with the ultimate goal of making themselves and their families look good. No matter what, each and every one of our mothers does the very best she can with the tools that she has.
Regardless of what type of mother one has, I can tell you from my own experience that motherhood is the most difficult job I have ever had to do. There are no real instruction books, no on the job training, no manuals for unforeseen circumstances that may surface and leave those of us with the best of all possible minds clueless as to what to say or do. Nevertheless, we all try to do our best, to be the best that we can, under our own circumstances.
As I write this post, I am thinking about my aunt as a mother, watching her daughter, my cousin, enter the final days of her life as she battles with cancer. Watching over an ill child is truly the very worst of all possible pains that can exist. I think about my aunt, her sacrifices, her fears, and her dread as this Mother's Day comes, and what it may or may not mean for her. There are those mothers, who no matter what happens, are always there for their children, through each and every step and stumble.
Being a good mother and having one is indeed a great blessing, something to cherish, hold and admire for all the days of our lives.
I have just found out that my beloved cousin passed away this evening, (5/13/06 at 10:45 PM EST.) May her mother. father and brothers be comforted among all the mourners of Zion.
It is the case that we are deeply saddened by the passing of my beloved cousin, which has been expected for some time now. Nevertheless, it is Mother's Day, and a good time to be reminded of what it means to have and/or be a good mother.
Happy Mother's Day to you all.
Thank you for your minds.
Many readers of this blog may know that its title, Women on the verge of Thinking, comes directly from an amazing movie by the ever so colorful and creative movie-maker, Pedro Almadovar, whose movie, Women on the verge of a Nervous Breakdown, being provocative and spell-binding, catapulted its creator into the public eye in a flash of a second. Almadovar also wrote a movie titled, All About My Mother, whose central character was a woman who was coming to terms with her own live in many ways.
As Mother's Day dawns upon us today, I began thinking about mothers, who they are, what they do, and why they are acknowledged. It is truly the case that having a good mother is a great blessing in so many ways. Mothers come in so many different shapes, sizes and dimensions, and exhibit characteristics from unconditional love, sacrifice, devotion, inspiration and dedication. There are, other types of mothers, many of whom I come in contact with each and every day in the workplace who are physically and emotionally abusive towards their children. Sometimes it is because they do not know any better, or have emotional issues of their own to deal with, resulting in unpleasant behavior towards their children. Then there are those mothers who have the best of all possible intentions, but push their children, towards success, with the ultimate goal of making themselves and their families look good. No matter what, each and every one of our mothers does the very best she can with the tools that she has.
Regardless of what type of mother one has, I can tell you from my own experience that motherhood is the most difficult job I have ever had to do. There are no real instruction books, no on the job training, no manuals for unforeseen circumstances that may surface and leave those of us with the best of all possible minds clueless as to what to say or do. Nevertheless, we all try to do our best, to be the best that we can, under our own circumstances.
As I write this post, I am thinking about my aunt as a mother, watching her daughter, my cousin, enter the final days of her life as she battles with cancer. Watching over an ill child is truly the very worst of all possible pains that can exist. I think about my aunt, her sacrifices, her fears, and her dread as this Mother's Day comes, and what it may or may not mean for her. There are those mothers, who no matter what happens, are always there for their children, through each and every step and stumble.
Being a good mother and having one is indeed a great blessing, something to cherish, hold and admire for all the days of our lives.
I have just found out that my beloved cousin passed away this evening, (5/13/06 at 10:45 PM EST.) May her mother. father and brothers be comforted among all the mourners of Zion.
It is the case that we are deeply saddened by the passing of my beloved cousin, which has been expected for some time now. Nevertheless, it is Mother's Day, and a good time to be reminded of what it means to have and/or be a good mother.
Happy Mother's Day to you all.
Thank you for your minds.
23 Comments:
Those works are so true...Have a Happy Mothers Day to you too! I feel blessed to have had a good mother who cared for us with all her heart.
Oh, my heart aches for you, your cousin (rest in peace), and especially your aunt.
Please note: I found out about my cousin's passing after I wrote this post. The words were meant to be a reflection on our Mother's. My heart breaks for my aunt, who will have to bury her daughter today, Mother's Day, or latest tomorrow.
My aunt was the most loving and thoughtful mother to her daughter, and she was there for her each and every step and stumble of the way.
So sorry, Barbara. [[[big hug]]]
Motherhood is the greatest joy & can be the biggest heartbreak, for sure.
Well, I had this really funny (at least to me) comment that I was going write here, but then I got to the end of your post, and I'm so sorry to hear of this upcoming funeral- its very sad.
wow,,I feel for your Aunt and cousin. I know that it is part of the cycle of life but watching it happen to a child is painful. Parents are supposed to watch their children grow strong and then find their own peace.
I look back at my Mom and realize that it must have been hard for her raising me and knowing when to let things go rather than try to make me fit her mold. She was raised in an ultrafeminine environment and her mother used to give her a hard time about my "rough and tumble". I am grateful that she was there to patch my "boo-boo's" stitch my jeans and hug me. I miss her.
Sorry to hear of the loss, and especially for your aunt's great burden now.
I, being on the other side of the thing, sadly mourn my own Ma on Mother's Day, and dang! You'de think that it would be less hurt after all these years. She died in 1987.
Well, I'm fairly certain she thinks it OK for me to wish Happy Mother's Day to anyone as nice as you.
So, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
You Moms are so strong. Good thing, too, or the world would have fallen apart centuries ago.
And, on a slightly different note, Lee has a really cool writting on the religion section of his collection.
But, darned if I didn't forget to mention to him that maybe, just maybe, he would like the movie, Kingdom of Heaven.
Betcha you would, too.
HERE, HERE
You know how I feel about this situation, therefore, Wishes of Peace or a big SHALOM to your aunt.
And withint all this, still a Happy Mother's Day to you.
(writing in my PDA that I have to find those two Almodovar's movies... thanks!)
Tony
Thank you for a beautiful post.
I have never known my mother, but do love Almadovar...
Condolences on your cousin's passage.
Happy Mother's Day! I am so sorry to hear about your cousin. I would sooner die than see my own child die, so I truly empathize with your aunt. She'll be in my thoughts and prayers, as will you be. ;o)
happy mothers day barbara!
Thank you for all your kind thoughts and Mother's Day wishes.
Happy Mother's Day to you all as well.
I am grateful that I can be a mother who is their for her children, through every step and stumble of the way.
Happy Mother's Day, Bubula
I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin.
And I so agree with what you say about mothers doing the best they can with what they have. Children are bewildering as well as rewarding! Hard for Dads too :)
Happy Mother's Day!
And so maybe a time to remember how important cousins can be too. Almost another brother or sister sometimes.
Oops - just read your first reply, Barbara. Still, maybe there should be a cousin's day too...
A mother's love, cliche though it is, is truly unique. At its best it's steadfast beyond anything one might expect, and a great comfort. At its worst, it's something biased and condoning of our lesser natures.
Like a lot of things, its greatest strength may also be its greatest weakness or risk.
I am so sorry about your cousin's death and your aunt's pain.
A few years ago I lost a cousin to cancer. She was in her sixties when she passed away. She died in her mother's arms. Her mother, my aunt, was in her late eighties at the time. It was the reverse of what my cousin expected would be the case. My cousin expected to be the one holding her dying mother. She did not expect it to be the other way around.
I wish you all strength. I am really sorry for your loss.
Just my opinion, but the thing about burying your cousin on Mothers Day will probably not make much of a difference to your aunt in the long run(clearly this year it will...). Mothers Day would always be a day of mourning for her since she lost her child. Perhaps I am jaded, but it is my thought.
I also dont agree with the statement that Mothers do the best job they can with the tools they have. Mine didnt. I tell my kids all the time that they are responsible for their own actions (in the context of dont hit your brother... but he made me cuz he was breaking my toy... he didnt make you hit him, you made that choice... what else could you have done?... you get the idea lol sorry rambling a bit...) So the same should hold for an adult. No one makes you abuse your children you choose that... No one makes you choose selfishness over caring... no one forces inappropriate choices. Again my opinion and I will add that there are some mentally ill people who cant help themselves...
On the whole I think that if we all focus on doing better or being better parents, we will! There is always room for improvement! (especially in my house! lol I am going to hug my kids extra hard when they get home today!*wink)
Barbara, my deepest and most heartfelt condolences upon the loss of your beloved cousin.
How devastating to lose a child on Mother's Day. How devastating to lose a child, period.
I am so happy you had the chance to go visit your cousin recently.
Thoughts are with your family at this most difficult time.
May her memory be a blessing.
I'm so sorry
Cheers to all the Mothers!!!!
Mother's are very special indeed, in 90% of the cases I think a child will confide in his mother rather than his father, even if the relationship with both is good.
It's just that unexplainable instinctive knowledge they have about their kids...
The best things in life my Mother taught me was to be humbled,to laugh,to continue being open to learning about ourselves and the world, to love,to not judge, to share but take care of ourselves as well and lastly,never be afraid to be just the unique person you are!Thanks for sharing Barb..I am sorry for your loss.Peaceful wishes for time and healing.
truly sad
how is your daughter?
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