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The Mother of All Mothers

May 14, 2017 by Diane

The earth in the shape of a heart, elements of this image furnis

I am the product of a remarkable mother. A woman who saves the hair from brushing the cat, rolls it into miniature fur balls, and stores the balls in a wine glass above the stove for future jewelry projects. A woman with the impressive ability to stretch a single serving of steak from Sizzler into six meals, and who is not above concocting sore-throat remedies from orange juice, crushed ice, and blush wine that comes from a box with a spigot, a box that will last longer than most marriages. A woman who, when I’m wallowing in despair, reminds me: There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not an oncoming train. 

I consider myself blessed to have such a mother. The mother of all mothers.

Not everyone is so blessed. I’ve known mothers who would rather nurture a stiff drink than their own child. Mothers who care more about what others think than the thoughts of their own offspring. Mothers who will protect their abusive husband, not the child who is abused. The only wisdom these mothers offer is: Leave me alone. If you have such a mother, heed her advice. Leave her. Alone. She has issues to sort out, and you don’t need to be the one she sorts them out on.

This Mother’s Day, if you don’t have a mother to honor, is there another woman who offered guidance, support, affection, or protection? A friend, wife, lover, sister, teacher, relative, or just a stranger you met once who made a difference in your life? If so, honor her. If no such woman comes to mind, honor Mother Earth, who offers this nest we call home.

And if you, too, had a mother of all mothers, but she’s now with the Divine Mother, or God, or wherever divine spirits go after leaving the body, honor the gifts she gave that now flower in you.

Speaking of making a difference, this story illustrates how every act of kindness matters. I urge you to read it. Trust me, it will make your day.


10 Comments »

  1. Pearl Allard says:

    So glad you have a remarkable mother! I’ve never heard of cat-hair jewelry–that’s devoted recycling right there! The making a difference link was also a great thought. Small things can be huge. Thanks for sharing all these, Diane.

  2. Riley says:

    I’m so glad you have such an awesome mother! Thanks for the reminders to honor all of the women in our lives who have ‘mothered’ us.

  3. Joan says:

    Beautiful!

  4. mydangblog says:

    I always think of Jann Arden’s song Good Mother at this time of year:
    I’ve got money in my pocket
    I like the color of my hair
    I’ve got a friend who loves me
    Got a house, I’ve got a car
    I’ve got a good mother
    And her voice is what keeps me here

    Not just about my own mother, but all the others who’ve mothered me along the way–this pretty well sums it up:-)

  5. Eliza says:

    Your mother sounds like a fine woman!

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