Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mothering is Like Gardening


 I spent a lot of time outside today in the garden, that is after I took Mr. 19 year old to the airport and sent him on his way.  You all know that Motherhood has been on my mind a lot lately, well today is no different. 


 It seems to me that Motherhood is a lot like gardening.  You carefully plant a plant or a seed hoping for the best.  You care for that plant watering, fertilizing and making sure it gets lots of sun, and sometimes you have an amazing flower and sometimes things go wrong.  No matter how hard you try things just may not turn out the way you want them to. 


Gardening like motherhood brings you to your knees, there is sometimes backbreaking work to be done, and sometimes there is a time to be still, and watch, letting the plant grow at it's own speed.


You get yourself all dirty, you sweat and swear a bit too.  You keep your fingers crossed that there will be a beautiful garden growing from all your hard work, but sometimes it is too sunny or hot, or too rainy and there are pests that eat your plants and weeds popping up every time you turn around.  Sometimes you have planted things too close together or you have stood by too long and things have gotten out of control, and find out that now it is much harder to get things back on track, but you have to you have no choice.


And sometimes you are blessed with a beautiful bloom that was hiding in the dark waiting for the perfect time to show up and make you smile.

To all you women out there I wish you a wonderful day tomorrow.  I don't believe you have to have children of your own to celebrate Mother's Day.  There are all kinds of ways to be a positive influence in someones life and that needs to be celebrated for the mothering that it is.  Maybe you have a classroom full of children you mother everyday, or pets at home that you share your love with.  Maybe you are a special aunt or neighbor that provides love for someone who needs it.  Maybe you mother your friends and co-workers. Maybe you are now mothering your parents because of their ages and now the role of daughter has turned more into the role of a parent.  I hope you all see how wonderful you are loving and helping others.  So in the garden of my life I celebrate my children, the children I work with, and all the other young adults I am around, but I also celebrate each and everyone of you.

Happy Mother's Day.

30 comments:

Mrs. C said...

That was beautifully said .... I have my own Mr. 19 year old and reading your post is going a long way to helping me through the "weedy" times! Have a very Happy Mother's Day :)

Suzan said...

Lovely flowers - favorite is the gardenia! Happy Mother's Day!!

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith.. what a thought provoking analogy! I so wish I had a gardenia plant even for the summer. We just got back from stocking up on healthy edibles. Whole grain, veg, fruit, etc. It's HOT here today! We came home and turned on the AC units. Happy Mother's Day!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Between Me and You said...

What a beautiful analogy and yes, we give our children roots but we also give them wings to fly. That's the best we can do really. You're obviously doing a grand job too Mer, so HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, especially to you. x

kathyinozarks said...

excellent post Meredith Happy Mother's Day to you-hugs

Lillie and Moss said...

What a lovely post Meredith. Your children are so lucky to have such a wonderful mom. Love your garden...looking really nice.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
xx Shari

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day, Meredith! Hope you have a wonderful day.

Love the pictures of the snapdragons. When Stephen was little he was terrified of their "teeth". LOL I think by now he has probably outgrown the fear.

RURAL said...

Beautifully written, and so true.

Mother's Day is a very special day, hope that you get to enjoy it with your family.

Jen

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

So eloquently said dear friend.

I can't imagine anyone being a better Mother than you, so stop worrying!

Happy Mother's Day to you dear friend. :)

Blessings always

Unknown said...

Beautifully said! Pet mom here. I guess plant mom also. Now with the 12-15 new "babies" we bought today I will have a lot of mothering to do!
Happy Mother's Day to you. Have a great day.

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith -- your story could not be more true -- such a wonderful tribute to Mothering.

Your garden photos are just beautiful -- have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Vicki

Betsy said...

Happy Mothers Day Meredith. Such a beautiful post and the analogy is right on. My children have all left our garden but we still give them waters very day in the form of prayers for each one.

Blessings,
Betsy

Taci simmons said...

Very true and philoshicsl orde.
I hope you have a wonderful mothers's day.

Pradeepa said...

That was beautiful! Happy Mothers Day to you.

Plain Jane said...

That's just made me cry - but in a good way! Happy Mother's Day x Jane

Hanne said...

Happy Mothers day to you :)

What a wonderful garden you have

Petunia Pill said...

Oh my goodness, girlfriend! Such profound words! And what a perfect comparison! Such a beautiful post! Love and hugs to you on our special day! Annette

Claudia said...

You are a wonderful mother and my nephews, both human and furry, are lucky beyond belief to have you as their mom. Love to you, my sister, on this Mother's Day.

xo
Claudia

serendipity said...

So true! Hope you are having a lovely day.

kathy b said...

Lovely flowers

Lovely thoughts

Lovely post

Lovely friend! Enjoy YOUR Mother's Day

linda said...

Aw that's so beautiful Meredith, have a wonderful Mother's day xxx

Babajeza said...

Happy Mother's Day to you! It has been very quiet here. But I don't mind. As you said, there are blooms hidden somewhere that will pop out unexpectedly. :-)
ps. I'm an aunt once more; new baby (Anders), new mother. :-)

Monica said...

This is an incredibly beautiful post! I loved each and every line of it. Thank you, thank you!
YOU are a delight, indeed, dear Meredith!
Love to you,
Monica xoxo

gaia said...

This is such a beautiful post. Happy Mother's day to you.Gaia.

Ladybird Diaries said...

What a beautiful post, you have such a lovely way with words. Happy Mothers Day.
M x

Gracie Saylor said...

Yes, Meredith, mothering is like gardening from my experience as well, and is not just confined to my fostered, or adopted, or birthed children.

Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts, and the lovely photo flowers with us, especially the gardenia, my favorite..such an heavenly scent ~~~~~~ :-)

Thanks for making my Mother's Day more beautiful. I hope you are having a good celebration as well.

Love with hugs,
Gracie

Tanna said...

Beautifully said, Meredith. And, so very true! blessings ~ tanna

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Meredith.. What a very lovely posting.. I totally agree with you and raising children.. Your roses are beautiful... I hope you had a very lovely Happy Mother's Day.. Hugs Judy

Red said...

Very well said Meredith! And beautiful pics as well! :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Meredith! My goodness! This post gave me goosebumps! A very beautiful analogy. A lovely post. Blessings and hugs to you, Tammy