Mothers - Book mark holder of reflections
On my 18th birthday mom says I walked into the front room and declared that as I was 18 I would be leaving home and going to live with my sister. I never realized that despite thinking I was an adult, I was still far from it, and while she treated me as an adult, mom still saw me as her little girl. Her role of worrying even though I lived in my own home never ceased, being a mother wasn't something she switched off. I do remember her making a comment to something I had said, probably something to do with me saying "I'm an adult now you know!" her response in her wisdom was to let me know that just because I am big didn't mean that she would stop caring, and how I would understand when I became a mother.
I understand now that being a mother to a 'just turned 18 year old brings up many of the memories from my own teenage years. I have to learn to give him space, to approach him as the young man he is becoming, I couldn't quite imagine him leaving home at this age, and know that even when he is in his 40's I will still worry about how he is getting on. As our kids get older we are faced with our own mortality and begin to question where and who we are, and what we will fill that gap that is left when they decide to flee the nest. I try to continue to look at my life still excited about those things that I have not yet tried, understanding that physically there are things that I can no longer or even want to do.
In caring for my mother it would seem as if the role have got reversed. Looking after mums needs and making sure that she is comfortable has been hard to get my head around. I had looked forward to the mother-daughter talks that we would have when I became an adult. I cling the the things that she can remember of our childhood, in an attempt to halt the progressive damage being done by dementia.
The role of a mother isn't something that can be taken lightly for you have young hearts and minds in your hand that need to be nurtured and equipped to one day go out into the world and have adventures of their own with the confidence in knowing who they are. We guide them in their journey and show by our examples our unconditional love. Think about your relationships with your mother and reflect on the lessons you have learnt that you have passed on.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you...let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.. John 14:24
Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him and he with Me..Revelation 3:20
