by Kathy Writer

Created on: June 06, 2008

Some people call the person who gave birth to them their Mother. While others go through life calling the person who raised them Mother. Some women in this work have babies without even thinking about taking care of these children they bear. It's like they don't realize that having sex make them pregnant, therefore they have yet another child.

My ideal definition of the word Mother is someone who nurtures and cares for those around her. You can mother people without ever giving birth. There are all types of women out there that are not the mothering kind. We all know at least one. The woman who is determined to be "better than a man". The one who runs with the big guys in the company. She can "do whatever a man can do"!

I'm not impressed with career women. Especially women who take on a very time demanding position and choose to continue their career after they have children. Neglecting them for their careers. Taking on 60 to 80 hour work weeks. How do their children feel? I had a Mom who worked all the time. She did so because she had to in order to support her family. My father was not there all the time, so she had to work in order to feed us. She worked all the time and was always tired. We didn't have much. But we always had what we needed.

My mother sacrificed for her children and those around her. She had many friends and people who cared about her. She had 9 children and I loose count on how many grandchildren, but there were over 15 for sure. Even Great-Grandchildren before she passed away.

Going to a funeral and seeing your mother's body lying lifeless and empty. It was not my mother lying in that box. It was a medium for her sole to inhabit this earth. It was the saddest day of my life. I regret not being their for her when she passed. There is no excuse good enough for not being there. You will regret it for the rest of your life.

My mother was no saint by any means. She had her issues, but she always was there for her family when they needed her. Can't say the same about her family. Only the chosen few. My youngest sister is the "new mom" of the family. She takes care of everyone who lives close to her. It's frustrating for her to have to take care of our 60 year old brothers who still haven't learned how to budget their money, or take their medications, or live on their own as adults. She has her own family to worry about. We all do.

The term Mother means so much to so many and so little to so few.

We can't all have the best mother in the world, but we can try to understand the ones we do have. Maybe talking, asking questions, just don't let the time pass by without trying. You never know when time will be over.

Cherish the moments you have with your loved ones. Don't take anyone for granted.

Make yourself and others happy every day.

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