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It's worth the wait
Motherhood.
For all of the young mothers out there, I just want to say, "Hold on. It really will be worthwhile, someday."
Weekend before last, I was gifted with a visit from my daughter-in-law, Marci and granddaughter, Haili. This past weekend my daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Aubrey, dropped by. Lisa had been up until the wee hours the night before, recording a cassette tape of music, with daughterly narration, for my Mother's Day gift. May as well find a pocket for it now in my burial dress -- this I'm taking with me.
Ben called Sunday from Denver for a nice long telephone chat, and Marci assured me that my gift is on its way. (I won't hold my breath, I know they mean well, but they keep talking about a valentine gift for us that yet remains in their apartment.)
Late in the day Sunday, Patrick sent his wife, Nicole, to her mother with Cindy's card and gift while he dashed over to our apartment with mine. (They know I have a soft spot for butterflies. Now I have one that will last through all four seasons.)
For someone who really always only wanted to be a wife and a mother, I've done pretty well for myself, don't you think? Six beautiful, intelligent and charming children and two grand-babies, even more beautiful, intelligent and charming. Who could ask for anything more? (Of course, I can only take credit for three of the six beautiful, intelligent and charming children. They married well, I must say.)
My mom died when she was but three years older than I am now, back in 1986. When I was putting the kids' memory books together two Christmases ago, I ran across a snapshot of us she had had enlarged. The note she sent with the enlargement was still wrapped around the photograph. Seeing her handwriting after so many years set off so many memories. Especially the one that goes..."Please excuse Dawn's absence yesterday. She was ill. Sincerely, Francine J. Carlson" I wonder how many of those notes she wrote over the years?
She would no doubt be pleased to read this and even now nods knowingly in my mind's eye as she reminds me in her soft voice, "I told you it would be worth it honey. It just takes time." She spoke with the assurance only experience can bring.
I don't do mother-in-law jokes. In all good conscience, I can't. You see, I have had a "second mother" since I was 15-years old. She eventually became my mother-in-law. (Please don't do the math, she is sensitive enough about her age.)
All that gallivanting I wrote about last week? It was Mom, (meaning Winnie) who paid for my plane ticket back from Nevada (yes, I paid her back). She was also the one to discipline me after the failed farming excursion, and she escorted Danny and me to the wilds of Wyoming for our period of banishment. (She had a new grandson to meet up there anyway, but used that situation to see to it that we were well and truly resettled.)
She also drove my mom up to Worland and then on to Billings, Mont., when Benjamin was born and took sick. When Lisa was delivered by caesarean section, Mom took me to her house, laid me down on her sofa, and refused to let me do one single thing for myself.
And it was Mom who came through on that dark day 16 years ago when the doctors summoned the Carlson children to my mom's side. She loaned us the money for my flight to Texas and saw to it that someone would be there to help Danny with the little ones while I was gone.
My own mom was only able to stay for 30 of my years. I've had my second mom for 31 (and counting). I hope she thinks it's been worth it.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, whether old and young, faith mothers, mothers-in-law, or mothers-in-waiting. I pray for each one of you, that you will find that it is indeed, "worth it."
"Her children arise and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28 (NIV)