My first Mothers Day

I celebrated my 6th year as a mother yesterday.

For six years I have cared for a little boy who has brought me more joy than I could have ever dreamed possible.

For six years I have gone to him in the middle of the night, held his hand at the doctor’s office, placed SpongeBob Band-Aids over his little scrapes and watched him wipe his Popsicle face on my Sunday dress.

For six years I been trying to teach his to tie his own shoes, teach him to whistle ‘Yankee doodle dandee’ louder and clearer than “all the other kids”, I’ve been working on numbers, letters, sounds, coloring in the lines and the joys of coloring out of them too.

For six years I have battled against his strong will, what he wants verses what I know is right, teaching him the value of character and substance. Treating people with respect, respecting yourself and how to just be a good boy…

For six years I have skipped with him down the sidewalk when he implored me, I have gotten in the mud puddles to make mud pies, mud cakes, and mud coffee. I searched high and low through the bushes where the nasty bugs live to seek them out so we may investigate them closer and learn of their buggy ways.

For six years, I have I have gone to the park after working 18 hour shifts, came home, made dinner, read a book, bathed him, dressed him, sang to him and put him to bed.

For six years, Ethan has been my son.

The very best son I can ever imagine because he is mine, those grubby, sweaty little hands touching my face,

“Mommy, I love you.”

Those little slobbery kisses.

“Mommy you’re the best Mommy in the world.”

They do something inside that has always given me strength. Now, I don’t need so much strength and endurance, so it’s just that love that fills me up.

I have always told Ethan that my collar bones are my “Mommy Tanks” and he can push on them to see if they feel squishy and need ‘filling up’.

You fill up Mommy tanks with lots of hugs and kisses, that’s what give Mommy’s their powers.

(Ethan pressing on my collar bones)

“Mom, is your Mommy tanks way filled up?”

“Oh yes, but now, all the extra hugs and kisses are going into the reserves – that’s what I run off of when you’re away at school.”

Ethan giggles.

“That’s grand!”

Yesterday was the first mother’s day that we have ever celebrated.

Obviously, because I have never had anyone around to help Ethan with the process.

(Thanks Honey)

It was fun.

It didn’t work out that I should have breakfast in bed, which was fine with me.

But since next weekend is my birthday, my two favorite guys are going to do it for me then.

Yay.

Ethan was delighted to do ‘Mothers Day’ things for me, give me a lovely scarf and a shirt with delicate pick flowers on it.

And a card.

“I picked it out ALL BY MYSELF”

(sigh)

I guess that is the point isn’t it?

To get them doing everything, ‘all by myself’ I get a lump in my throat when I think about my little E, all grown up, no Popsicle smears on my clothes.

As much work as it is,

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Being a Mommy.

It’s very grand indeed.