In honor of my mother and maternal grandmother who gave me unconditional love and taught me the art of mothering.
With mother's day on the horizon, I reflect on the wonderful moments I spent perched on a chair next to my grandmother watching her brush her hair. I close my eyes and remember the smell of the gardenia perfume that she wore. Admiration and love filled my heart every time my grandmother walked in a room. She had a special way of teaching me how to doing anything. She taught me to tie my shoe, recognize a nickel from a quarter and to count money. It did not matter if I got it right straightway or if it took a while, my grandmother patiently guided me. It is from her that I learned to be patient with myself and others.
I remember my mother, juggling several jobs and still finding time to spend time to take me to the playground or out to eat. There was nothing that tasted better than a hamburger, fries and coke at the counter of Woolworth. I loved to watch my mother dress, and put on her makeup. I could stand in the bathroom with her and watch her forever. To me she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. From my mother I learned to enjoy the simple things and to take time-out to drink in the beauty of the moment.
Mothering for both my grandmother and mother was not just about directions and instructions; it was not about the to-do-lists or chores-it was about the quiet moments. It was about the look of awe in my eyes when I could tie my shoes on my own. It was about the smile on my lips as I bite into my hamburger at that Woolworth's counter. I am not sure if they knew that years after they had gone on into Glory that I, grown, with children of my own would remember those special moments. I am content to believe that mothering I received from them enabled me to created special mothering moments of my own with my son and daughter.
Mothers, remember your giving love unconditional brings about treasured moments which will be imbedded in the mind of your child. That unconditional love is an art that can only be passed on through mothering.
