When God Created Mothers...

In 1995 when I graduated from high school, St. Agnes had what they called "Madonna Day".  Think Mother of Jesus, not Material Girl. Anyways, the point of it was a reflection on the prior year for the seniors.  Many seniors wrote or recited poems, sang songs, or said something about the year.

Some 17 years ago and in front of my fellow seniors, the entire student population, and the parents of the graduating seniors I chose to say something about my mom and dad.  Along with my good friend Jennie Glass, I recited the following and felt it was a appropriate day to share it with y'all.

When God Created Mothers...

When the Good Lord was creating Mothers He was into his sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said, "you're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "have you read the spec on this order?"  She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moving parts...all replaceable.  Rub on black coffee and leftovers.  Have a lap that disappears when she stands up.  A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair.  And six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way." 

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord.  "It's the three pairs of eyes that Mothers have to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded.  "One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows.  Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in the front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, "I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word."

"Lord," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Come to bed.  Tomorrow..."

"I can't, "said the Lord, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself.  Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower."

The angel circled the model of a Mother very slowly.  "It's too soft," she sighed.

"But tough!" said the Lord excitedly.  "You cannot imagine what this Mother can do or endure."

"Can it think?"

"Not only think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.  "there's a leak," she pronounced.  "I told you you were trying to put too much into this model."

"It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear."

"What's it for?"

"It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride."

"You are a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber.  "I didn't put it there."
-Erma Bombeck

Happy Mother's Day Mom.

For all of the 'joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride' we've had over the last 34 years...today I reflect on the woman who taught me the strength and patience to experience all of the happiness that motherhood offers.  I cannot think of a better teacher.  I love you mom.