May 10, 2008
Erma Bombeck on A Mother’s Love
Written by Cindy Kirk in Jaunty PostBecause Sunday is Mother’s day, I thought it only appropriate to list some words of wisdom from Erma Bombeck.
We all know that being a Mom is the hardest, most rewarding job on the face of this Earth.
“You don’t love me!”
How many times have your kids laid that one on you?
And how many times have you, as a parent, resisted the urge to tell them how much?
Someday, when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I’ll tell them…
I loved you enough to bug you about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home.
I loved you enough to insist you buy a bike with your own money, which we could afford, and you couldn’t.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover your hand picked friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your bedroom, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to say, “Yes, you can go to Disney World on Mother’s Day.”
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust, and tears in my eyes.
I loved you enough not to make excuses for your lack of respect or your bad manners.
I loved you enough to admit that I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness.
I loved you enough to ignore “what every other mother” did or said.
I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall, hurt, and fail.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your own actions, at 6, 10, or 16.
I loved you enough to figure you would lie about the party being chaperoned, but forgave you for it…after discovering I was right.
I loved you enough to shove you off my lap, let go of your hand, be mute to your pleas and insensitive to your demands…so that you had to stand alone.
I loved you enough to accept you for what you are, and not what I wanted you to be.
But most of all, I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it. That was the hardest part of all.
Erma Bombeck
My mother (who died in 1990) gave me the gift of self-confidence. She was always my staunchest champion and my best friend. Now, I have the same close relationship with my daughter.
What did your mother teach you?
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6:11 am | Share This
Margay Says:
My mother taught me to have faith in myself and my abilities as a parent,and to never give up, even when there seems to be no end to the darkest tunnel (my mother is the light at the end of that tunnel, leading me through the darkness). She also taught me to knit, crochet, sew, and read, all pretty cool things to know, in my opinion. Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!
Margo Maguire Says:
My mother died just under 3 years ago, and one of her favorite songs was “I Hope You Dance,” by Lee Ann Womack. It embodied her own lifelong attitude - to get out there and LIVE. (She started her adult life by joining the Red Cross and being stationed in Europe during WWII).
Emily McKay Says:
I’ve actually been thinking a lot about this evening before Anne’s wonderful post. My mom’s been sick a lot lately. She has a host of illnesses that I won’t bore you with today, but here’s what she’s taught me:
To be strong, even when you think you can’t be.
To never give up hope.
To keep living your life and enjoying your family, even when you’re sick.
To never let a disease run your life.
Emily McKay Says:
Oops. “Cindy’s wonderful post.” I totally meant Cindy instead of Anne. It’s just that I had just been looking at the kitty pictures from Anne, so I had her name on my brain.
Shana Says:
I just spoke with my mom this morning. She taught me to always do the best I could and not to beat myself up about it if I did my best and still wasn’t #1 or a straight-A student. She loves me no matter what.
Virginia H. Says:
My mother past away about 19 years ago two weeks before my son was born. One thing she taught me was how to cook and to always do the best that your can do.