by Brittany Holst —
I am so used to spending Mother’s Day with my grandmother, mother, aunt and the rest of my family.
However, due to COVID-19, things will be a little different this year. We have to be creative as we continue to practice social distancing.
Although Mother’s Day is not considered a national holiday, it is a special day to honor the special woman or even women in our lives. I’m looking forward to video conferencing with my loved ones while spending time with my husband and our daughter, Niah.
My mother has been a blessing to me. I look at her and think, “Wow! Where would I be now had I not been catered with all the unconditional love and knowledge she has provided me?”
I tell her all the time that I hope I am just as great of a mom to my daughter as she has been to me. I would not be the person I am today had it not been for my mom.
Growing up, I did not always understand my mother’s reason for doing things. But as I got older, I understood why there were times when she wouldn’t allow me to go here and there and do other things I wanted to do.
From a very early age, she put a lot of emphasis on education, community service, faith, being creative and having a competitive spirit in sports and other activities.
I remember when my mom was helping me learn to tell time on a clock. She did fun things like driving near the airport and parking the car to watch the airplanes come in. We would use the directions of the planes landing as imaginary hands on the clock. I would say, “it’s coming in at 9 o’clock” or “it’s coming from 3 o’clock.”
We would laugh and give “high fives.” That’s when she knew I understood the workings of the clock and how to tell time.
We did everything together. I gained my entrepreneurial spirit from her. Mom told me, “You can do anything you want to do and you can be whatever you want to be in life. She said, “it takes hard work and determination to make it happen”.
Though gentle and loving, she also was not one to play with. If my mom said to do or not do something, she meant it.
She would say, “If you don’t believe me, try me.”
I tested her a few times to see if “fat meat was greasy” and she did not hesitate to show me that it was. After that, I got my act together because I knew my mama did not play games with me.
iMom Mother’s Day Music Vibe:
Now, I look at my own daughter and find joy every time she smiles. She is so precious and I recognize with her, a love like no other. I have discovered a more patient and compassionate side of me that I’d never known.
I can share experiences with her that my mother shared with me — being the first teacher, nurturer, providing loving guidance to help mold her to be successful in life.
Whitney Daniels, mother to Paul and Paris, said, “Being a mother means the world to me. I always hear people say, ‘I don’t know where I would be in like’ or ‘I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my kids.”
Those statements have never made a difference to her because “nothing means more to her than being a mom.” It has completely changed her life for the better!
“Being a mom means loving myself so much more than I have before. That same love is magnified so much more because it grows rapidly every day for me to give to my children.
You would think that love can’t possibly be greater but it doesn’t stop there,” said Daniels.
The relationship between mother and child is so pure and innocent.
“My children reciprocate the same love unconditionally to the point it has become an everlasting circle of love. It’s selfless. It’s the most comforting when the times come that I don’t feel deserving of it and it’s assuring that, although, I’m not a perfect mother, I’m exactly the one they need,” Daniels said.
Legendary composer, singer and musician Stevie Wonder said it best:
“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.”
Mother’s Day is a day of celebrating the living and a day to acknowledge special loved ones who has passed away.
However you decide to celebrate, do so with love and appreciation.
From the iMom — Being a mother is not always easy, but it is one of the greatest gifts from God. We are our child’s first teacher. We’re strong and wise. We are nurturers and providers. We are the definition of love, patience, compassion and forgiveness. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and thank you for your unconditional love and sacrifices.
