Warning: This week’s post gives moms permission to need to
be taken care of, too.
When Granny’s health started to fail she repeatedly said she
was ready for God to take her home. But come each November, she would tell me she
was praying God would wait ‘til spring to take her so I wouldn’t catch cold at
the cemetery. And even in her last days—when she did not have a firm grasp on reality—
she was watching out for me; telling me to be careful doing this or that and to
telling me how proud she was of me for being me. There hasn’t been a day go by in the past two years that I have not missed Granny. I miss her encouragement, her smile, her unconditional love, her presence and her selflessness. I miss the ways she was always looking out for me; making sure I knew she understood I still needed taking care of.
I will never forget how blessed I was to have that kind of
support in my life, but this week I was especially reminded of how important it
is for moms to have the ‘luxury’ of knowing it is okay to take care of
themselves and to know other moms are on their side.
I was reminded of this when a friend of mine, who is a young
stay at home mom of two precious children, was given a very special gift from
her husband; a dream vacation with her best girlfriend. Yes, a few days away
from all the responsibilities she dearly loves, but that don’t have to be her
sole source of oxygen. Little did they know, however, that this gift would illicit comments of a negative and accusatory nature. These comments suggested this sweet wife and momma was neglecting her family, that she was being selfish and that she didn’t have the right to take such a trip.
Now I’m not sure why anyone felt the need to do this, but
what I do know is that this young family is on the right track. They understand
that a momma needs to be looked after, too. They understand a momma (especially
a stay at home momma) needs a break now and then to remind herself that a
significant part of her value as a mom comes from the fact that she has
knowledge, passion and talent in other areas besides those that come with being
a mom.
So here are my challenges to each of you this week…
1.
Tell the young moms in your life how much you
respect and admire them. Compliment them on their accomplishments as a wife and
mom AND on their God-given talents that make them the wonderful, amazing women
they are.
2.
Moms, don’t be afraid to take a little time for
yourself now and then to recharge your heart and mind and to remind yourself
that while being a parent is THE most important job you will ever do, it isn’t
the only thing you are capable of.
So thanks, Granny, for never letting me forget and I hope
and pray I will do the same for all the young moms in my life.
Love,
Momma D
