Go to Your Heavenly "Not the Mama"

Oh, moms, who among us doesn't long to be cared for? We are the caregivers throughout all of history. Whether we like it or not, we are the ones everyone runs to for help, encouragement, sustenance. We're it.

Remember the primetime cartoon series, Dinosaurs? Whenever the youngest baby dinosaur referred to his father he called him, "Not the Mama." I howled at it then and I howl at that reference now, understanding the wisdom behind the writer's words. Had to be a woman writer - just had to be.

Have you been struggling with your mom role? Are your children young or a bit older? Or have they flown the coop entirely? As you know, mine are older but still live at home while attending college - all four of them!

I yearn for so much. One day I'll be in a "What If" mood about my life's choices, and the next I'll think I'm right where God wants me. Who knows? Certainly not I.

Throughout my years of inner-struggle I have come to rely on friends who are close to God, thereby plunking me closer to Him - I hope! When my boys were younger I really did not listen to God much at all except on Sunday morning during Mass. There was simply so much to do. You know. Every mom knows. So I did. I tried to do all that was required of me. I did way too much. I know that now.

What have I learned? What would I change? I would take the advice given in today's retreat to heart: I would ask God every day, many times a day, to "help me to listen for Your voice." We moms act like we must know it all and do it all. But we don't. That way of thought makes us crazy!

At this point of my life I trust that God does care for me, forgive me, and love me. I feel all three every day. And for that I am so very grateful. I wish you the intelligience to turn to God...right now.

~ Maureen :)
4/02/09 Celebrating Reconciliation

Role Reversal

I think Mom Moments come to mind much easier when your children are younger. Our children say the cutest things when they are young or perform the funniest antics. Heck, most of the goofiest moments are plastered on YouTube for all to see.

But as our children grow and mature they lose their sense of wonder; they don't seem to have as many silly or outrageous moments. At least that's how it is with my boys - my men.

Yesterday I had one of those, "Wow, what a wonderful person you are," revelations about my oldest son. He came home for dinner, found me in the kitchen, and very seriously asked if I would please pray for someone. The fact that he requested my prayers is actually a common occurrence. However, it is not a common occurrence as to the person for whom he asked my prayers.

This person has caused my son MUCH turmoil in the past. As fellow moms, I know you ladies out there can relate. When another person repeatedly hurts your child, that's about as bad as it gets. It's quite hard, edging on impossible, to have kindly feelings toward that person.

Apparently, I am happy to say that the parent in me must not have done such a bad job if my son is capable of feeling such great compassion for this woman. He went on and on relating to me the fact that she is very sick indeed yet smiled such a genuine smile as she said goodbye. He got the feeling she didn't have many more days to smile.

So I will pray for her and I ask you to pray for her, also. Perhaps she has already found a kind of peace. Perhaps she is happy this world may not be her home for much longer, or maybe she just needs God's help to regain her strength. Whatever God's will is for her, I do not hold those bad feelings toward her anymore. I believe she was a pawn in the grand scheme of things.

Obviously, my son let go of any such resentment; I'm happy I am able to, also. We can learn a lot from our children.

~ Maureen :)