Mother's Day Musings

How does one define a "perfect" mother?

Does she run a household like June Cleaver? Or more like Joan Crawford? Or maybe like Roseanne? Most moms are somewhere in-between.

Does she cook like Granny Clampett or like Julia Child? Most moms are somewhere in-between.

Does she do everything for her children? Or does she make them do for themselves? Most moms are somewhere in-between.

Does she heap praise on everything you do? Or is she more likely to hurl insults? Most moms are somewhere in-between.

She might take you shopping, or she might take you fishing.  She might enjoy listening to Blue Velvet or Back in Black or Purple Haze. She might read to you one night and watch TV with you the next (everything in moderation!).

Moms sometimes stand next to your crib to make sure you're breathing. Once you're grown, they might stop by and peek in your kitchen window. Other moms are looking down on you from heaven. A mother never really wants to stop checking in with you...just to be sure you're OK.

Do you want to be just like her or hope you have nothing in common? Either way, your mother taught you about being a parent. You can choose to use her as an ideal model or as an example of what not to do. Do you have "issues" that you've blamed on your mother? Then it's time to start taking responsibility for your own life and try to fix what you think is broken. Are you happy with yourself and how you've turned out? Then thank your mother for helping to mold you into the person you've become. Nobody can tell you what it will be like when you are a mother. It can be a lot of trial and error. You just keep doing your best.

So what is a "perfect" mother? I can't imagine any mother who would get a perfect score on every scale or in every opinion. But I know that my mom is the perfect mom for me. And your mom is just perfect for you. Whatever your relationship with her is or was, be thankful for your mother. You wouldn't be you without her.