Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day!
In honor of every self-sacrificing mother out there, here is a quote that hit me right between the eyes. I was reading this to my almost three year old daughter, and when I came to this part, I paused. This is the answer to the unsettling hesitation I have about the costs of mothering. I see my body, so changed by the process of carrying and birthing seven children. I see the hesitation to endure whatever the future has in store. I see the fear of "losing myself" amidst the constant daily demands. I see the desire, and yet am fearful, of becoming real.
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"What is REAL?" asled the Rabbit one day. Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
The only toy that was kind to the Rabbit was the Skin Horse. The Skin Horse had lived in the nursery longer than any of the others, and he was very wise.
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens when a child loves you. It takes a long time. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, you get loose in the joints, and very shabby."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse. "But when you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
The Rabbit sighed. He longed to become Real, and yet the idea of growing shabby was rather sad. He wished that he could become Real without uncomfortable things happening to him.
from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams.
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And I offer a sincere prayer of thanksgiving to the Heavenly King, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth; Who is in all places and sees all things; Treasury of blessings, and Giver of Life, for granting me the gifts of my children, and the many opportunities to become REAL.
And to all the Mothers reading, and to all the women who mother other people's children, and to all the women who care for others and give of themselves, Happy Mother's Day, and may God grant you many years in peace, health and happiness.
(adapted from Mother's Day, 2005)
Labels: Life is beautiful, Life is hard, matters of the heart
posted by Renee at Saturday, May 12, 2007
9 Comments:
Happy Mother's Day, you real woman, you!
What a special gift you have offered to us...I can only hope and pray that your day is beautiful and say that I too am grateful for God's gift of our children. I was blessed to be able to take up an entire pew with my husband, myself, our married couple adult children, three other children at home and three little grandboys! I was also well aware that my angel in Heaven was right there with us and wore and angel pin to represent his
little presence too! What a morning! God bless you and real,well, its REAL, what can we say?!!! :)
Happy Mother's Day to you, MPN!
I hope you had a lovely day MPN! Blessings to you and yours!
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Let's see...
Shabby... Check
Loose jointed... Check
Hair loved off... Check
I think I'm REAL!
Thank you so much for sharing this delightful insight with us!
Happy Mother's Day!
What a very beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it!
Hapy Mother's Day, Renee! We just read the Velveteen Rabbit, too. It just makes me cry. Your post linking it to motherhood is beautiful.
happy belated mothers day reeree, and loved revisiting the velveteen rabbit with that quote. love to catch up sometime.
God bless you mamma!
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