I had a few more thoughts, so I decided to stretch it out to another post.
Remember this quote from my last post:
I love it. And it offers a perfect segue-way into this post
"few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of . . . the mothers who bear with us."
This line takes me back a few years when I was in the RS presidency and I organized a weekly playgroup for the women in our ward. Once a week I'd open up the church, set up a few chairs in the gym, safely tuck the piano into the corner and hide anything else that was not intended to be a toy, and wait for the other mothers to arrive. We were all in the thick of babyhood and toddlerhood. Oh ya. It was nice to get together, get out of the house, let the kids run around, and just talk. Sharing stories about teething, potty-training, and nursing . . . keeping an eye out for any biters in the crowd . . . and relaxing for just a moment because everyone was contained within 4 walls.
{photos from May 2005}
I have a picture of some of the moms, but I think I might receive hate mail if I post it. ;
We learned from each other. We supported each other. And we found a sense of hope knowing that someone else was in the same boat.
This organized playgroup evolved into other regular activities . . .
- a weekly picnic in the park during the summertime
- taking over the kids' wading pool -- moms all lined up on the edge, kids splashing to their hearts' content (I also have a photo of this in my possession)
- library storytime and lunch at McDonald's
- and others I just can't think of right now
Anna has 3 more days of preschool. Three. And then she will be starting kindergarten in the fall. I'm realizing that my days of gathering with the moms & kids for play are shrinking. We had our last library storytime last week. Next year it conflicts with Anna's school schedule.
While I'm no longer in the thick of babyhood and toddlerhood, I'm glad that I had other mothers to share those experiences with. Our opportunities for sharing and learning from each other will change, but the idea remains the same, "few of us will reach our potential without . . . the mothers who bear with us." We still need support, we still need inspiration, a great recipe for Alfredo sauce, someone to offer perspective, consolation knowing that your child is not the only who has crazy phobias, a person/place where you can feel uplifted.
So amid the no frills, sometimes monotonous, and physically/emotionally/mentally draining life of a mother . . . what keeps you going, what motivates you to move forward?
For one, paying attention to & learning from the inspiring women around me.
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I am inspired by . . .
women who love being mothers
women who are happy, positive, and determined
women who share their goodness, their light, and successes
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To share . . a couple inspiring mom bloggers that I have enjoyed: