For the mothers

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. People generally think that Mother's Day is a day to celebrate us - it is but more as well. It is our day to celebrate the privilege of becoming a mother. To do your best (even though it may not be good enough) and then see that effort in the form of your children becoming adults.

On this Mother's Day, I celebrate the son who became the Navy SEAL...I admit, I never thought my "little boy" could do that sort of stuff; how proud we are of him. Even more so, a source of pride is the father and husband he has become. I know he has had much guidance and training from Angie, but he has learned his lessons well. He is a good daddy, and his daughters love him. What is it Angie calls it, he's just a "stand up sort of guy". He jumps in there and does what needs to be done.

I celebrate the daughter who has just now taken that last final of law school. There were times I didn't know if she could do it, either. I know I could not have. She has amazed me with her intelligence and perserverance. She has definitely risen to the occasion when the going got tough.

And then I celebrate the baby who just had a baby. She has awed me with her strength of character and acceptance of these trying times. She and Marcus lean on each other and find strength in each other and their faith, and I am so proud of them. They will be wonderful parents for Hannah.

One thing I did not expect from motherhood was the surprise that I would feel when I saw my children take charge of their lives...not that I didn't expect them to do it, but they have done it with such maturity and grace and perserverance and love for each other and their family. I am really proud of the people they have become, and I know I didn't do that...somewhere along the way, they found the answers themselves. They've done good! I wish my mother and Dean's dad could witness their journey; they would have been very proud as well.