What It Means to Be Mom

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. I know that for many women, it’s a day of burned pancakes served in bed, sticky-fingered hugs, and handmade cards bursting with love. For others, it’s a time of longing to be a mother, or even sadness that such an opportunity hasn’t come yet. For many, it’s a time of remembrance, fond memories of little children now grown. I hope that no matter your age, your stage, or your situation, you find a measure of peace and delight in your role this Sunday—there is reason to be grateful, always!

As for me, I’ll spend the day enjoying my family, which happily straddles many different stages, from teenagers at home to newborn grandbabies to grown-up children who live far away. How I love them all!

My heart is also full for my own mother, who has given my life lasting purpose and direction. This particular Mother’s Day, I find myself reflecting on the amazing, sweet childhood my mother provided me. One incident in particular comes to mind. I loved to play with dolls and Barbie was all the rage. Oh, how I wanted one! I was over the moon when I received a Barbie doll as a gift, and I couldn’t wait to start accessorizing her (yes, even then, I was all about embellishments!). I’m not sure whether it was because we had a lack of money or whether Barbie back then had a lack of wardrobe options, but I remember that I had only one outfit for my Barbie—the one she came with.

I’ll never forget the day my mother hauled out her sewing machine and began pulling together scraps of fabric left over from a variety of other projects. She sewed those tiny hems and miniscule collars with a zeal and talent I’ll never forget, until my Barbie was runway ready. It was pretty amazing; the designers at the toy company could learn a thing or two from my mom. I had hours, days, weeks, years of delight playing with Barbie and dressing her up for every occasion. To this day, I’ve saved Barbie and my mother’s handmade doll wardrobe. Even bringing them out to have a look reminds me of her dedication, selfless service, and spot-on attunement to her daughter’s heartfelt wishes. She really knows what it means to be a mom.





I’m so grateful to her and grateful to be a mother (and now a nana) myself. I hope your day is similarly spent—with gratitude felt by you and shown to you for all you do!