My mother and I have an ongoing disagreement. When it comes to Mother's Day, her birthday, and/or any significant holiday, she does not want a gift. She says she knows I love her. She then suggests a simple luncheon or an afternoon watching a dvd. She encourages me to save my money. She knows that as a single man, I am responsible for the entirety of my expenses. I tend to ignore her wishes in that regard.
I like to make a big production out of any of the significant days where I have a chance to honor my mother. My rationale, though she seems incline to diminish it, is that she is the only mother I have. I remind her of how much she has done for my sister and I over the years. I willingly admit that she has unconditionally supported every one of my crazy endeavors since I could walk. She claims that is what any mother would do for her children.
I am aware that part of the fuss I make over my mother is that I remember when she was a struggling divorcee balancing a full-time job, her college studies, and two kids. She was the sole head of our household. At times, she was understandably pre-occupied, if not tense, during those years. More times than not, though, she was funny, emotionally available and all to willing to give even more of herself to a fault. As the oldest daughter in her family of origin, she is the matriarch of our extended family. All to often, she would chide me when opting for selfishness over sharing with others that "it's right to do right."
Without assistance from anyone, she was (and is) an example of someone that made it through sheer will and determination. As most kids do, I did not fully appreciate the sacrifices she made for my sister and me. We never went without anything that we needed. More than just the necessities, she provided ample opportunity for me to play soccer, participate in the scouts, spend every summer at camp, etc.
My mother was the one that bandage my knee when I scraped it. She told me I could be someone when teachers implied I was less than capable. She was the one that wiped my tears when my father failed yet again to deliver on a promise to spend time with me. My mom remembers those days, as her not being able to give us more. I cannot imagine her doing any less than she did.
One of my favorite memories, as young adult, is the day I received my undergraduate degree from college. That same day, she received her graduate degree. A decade later, she was present when I received my second graduate degree. Just a few weeks prior, she had been hospitalized, and almost lost her. She promised me should be present. That day, my sister, my mom and I took a picture that this past Christmas I gave back to her, as an oil painting.
My point is quite simply: I love my mother. She has given me her all, as a son. She is an example to me of selfless giving. She demonstrated her love by always being there when I needed her. Also, she was there to celebrate and appreciate the good times, as well. Because of her, I am the person that I am today.
Thus, any chance I get to honor the woman that has stood by me unconditionally, I will do so. For that matter, I appreciate every woman that is a mother. Being a mother is an amazing achievement that deserves the utmost respect from every man. So to all women everywhere, Happy Mother's Day!
