The Village of Mothers

We celebrated Mother’s Day in our usual (wonderful) fashion yesterday. I slept in, was spoiled with food, gifts, hugs and kisses, took a mini drive to Wakfield, a favourite destination of mine, and we spent dinner with my family at my parent’s house.  Plus, it ended with Game of Thrones. All in all, I got to do almost all of my favourite things.

I’m not sure why, but I was feeling rather insightful and reflective and spent part of the drive to Wakefield thinking about how fortunate I am to not only be a mother, but be surrounded by a tribe of other moms who are inspiring, helpful, kind and loving.

My kids may call me mom, but there are many women in their lives who mother them. Their grandmothers, aunts, friends of the family – all of these women hold my children in their hearts.  They help teach them about life, about having fun, about being silly, about work ethic, about the importance of family – lessons that I want them to learn, and try to teach them, but are made more rich thanks to the insight of others.

I have women who are my friends who genuinely care about the well being of our children. They ask about them when they are sick, they offer assistance when I have parenting questions, they take my kids into their homes and offer a safe, welcoming place to be themselves.

The women in our families are the same. My kids can learn from us, but what they learn from our extended family is priceless. I rely on those women, my family, to help me as a mother and the generosity they show my kids can’t be replaced. It’s more than just familial requirement; it’s love.

It’s in these moments that I feel grateful. Grateful for the people we are surrounded with and for all they do for us as a family.

Mother’s Day was definitely special for me as a mom, but also opened my eyes to those women around me who matter in our lives each day.  To them I say thank you.