Happy Mother's Day...Belated!

As I was thinking about Mother's Day this last week and weekend I thought, "Well, darn it, your blog is for mothers you've got to write something in honor of Mother's Day!" As I shifted through a lot of bad ideas, I started thinking about my friend Imelda who became the mother of twin girls 8 months ago.
A couple of weekends ago, Scott, Cassie and I drove up to San Gabriel to visit Imelda, Turhan and their two little girls Camilla and Maya. I had met Camilla before, but hadn't had the chance to meet Maya because she had been in the hospital for some time after her birth. Watching Imelda with her girls really touched and inspired me. She tended to an average 8 month old, Camilla, while nuturing tiny little Maya, no bigger than a 4 month old, as she grows bigger and stronger. Imelda went from one task to another, juggling the needs of each one with such grace and confidence...like an old pro. There have been so many times when I have been overwhelmed by the needs of my one little Cassie that watching her left me in awe.
Now I'm sure that when Imelda reads this that she will probably laugh her head-off thinking I must have been smoking something really good that day. Both Scott and Turhan were there and I'm sure wouldn't have any clue about what I'm writing about. Cassie was getting into everything, climbing all over the house and putting every electrical cord in her mouth, Camilla was hungry and letting us know about it, Maya was checking us out as we were all trying to catch up on the last year of our lives. In the midst of it all, Imelda excitedly celebrated Maya 's first cooing sounds. Imelda had the whole scene under control and was still able to keep up a coherent conversation.
Experiencing my second Mother's Day is much different than experiencing my first. I am so much more aware of what it means to be a mother. The last 14 months of my life have created a confidence in me that I wasn't aware I possessed. It's also drawn out my weaknesses, but that seems okay when I put them up against what I've learned about myself since last Mother's Day. Mainly that, I can do it! I can really do this mom thing and be good at it...I can ask for help and not be weak...I can be silly in front of strangers and not care what they think about me...I can love myself with the same tenderness that my daugther loves me...I can appreciate the deep and tender love that my own mother has given me all these years...I can see the competence in another mom and give myself credit for the same. Watching Imelda, I realized that no one but a mom understands the heart of another mother - the sweat, the tears, the doubt, the heartbreaking love, the joy, the strength. Even the most dedicated, involved and loving father can't understand what we mother's appreciate about each other. There is something about being the protectress of the family that binds us together.
I am blessed to know many wonderful mothers and I honor each of you. You inspire me on my own motherhood journey. Thank you for that gift! Happy Mother's Day!