The Mother in Me…..
Today, I decided to review the definition of Mother. I went to dictionary.com, plugged in the term and waited for the results.
moth·er
mʌð ər/ Show Spelled[muhth -er]
–noun
1. a female parent.
2. (often initial capital letter ) one’s female parent.
3. a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother.
4. a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.
5. a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.
7. a woman exercising control, influence, or authority like that of a mother: to be a mother to someone.
8. the qualities characteristic of a mother, as maternal affection: It is the mother in her showing itself.
9. something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else; origin or source.
10. (in disc recording) a mold from which stampers are made.
I tried to determine if I felt any of these definitions suited me, outside of being the female parent. And in all honesty, there are no real words to define what it is and means to be a mother. Of course, we can define ourselves as someone who gives rise to protecting and caring for something else. I can even see being the origin and the source for something in which I can mother or parent. I can see being a mold and stamping my imprint upon another, but nothing, in any of those terms begin to address the one common term all mother’s have, hold, and dread – and that is fear.
The one job that you have been given, without an instruction manual, no formal training, and all OJT, is being a mother. If you fail at your job, you know the consequences; you have a Jeffrey Dahmer or a Charles Manson. If you are too successful at your job, then you are a control freak. If you are too casual then you want to be a friend instead of a parent. Quite honestly, there is no way to win. With fear in your heart you rise every day and just hope that you are getting it right as they grow and become adults, with a sense of right and wrong that has been instilled in them and they will become productive members of society. You hope that the guidance they have been given does not inspire them to become parents themselves at a young age, and that they will find someone in which to share their life who is fair and loving and will be a good mother to your grandchildren.
To all the mothers out there I salute you, honor you and cherish you. I know your fear, and share in the turmoil, but I also understand a mother’s joy. I have been blessed with a wonderful son, that has turned into a wonderful man, and this Mother’s Day, I am blessed that God gave me an opportunity to provide protecting care over something else, and mold it, and become a female parent.
OnToplist Analytics is brought to you by praca
Add blog to our directory.
Olivia Gaines Author 