A Splash of Love….

I awoke this morning to our middle son, Todd, running a fever of over 101 degrees. I stayed home with him while Daddy took the other children to church for the Mother’s Day service. I went for second service, alone, but it was a small sacrifice to make for a sick child.

When I returned from church, Tim was busy making a taco and quesadilla lunch, Todd was sound asleep in bed and the other children were busy ‘doing their own thing’ in various parts of the house.

Kordan, who was in the kitchen with Daddy, couldn’t wait to give me his gift. With bouncy excitement, he handed me something that he had made at school: a little coaster and a ‘pocket card’ containing a bag of Acai berry tea. I thanked him, told him that I had recently heard of Acai berry tea and wanted to try it so the gift was perfect. His eyes sparkled, pleased that the gift fit.

Kordan lasted about 20 minutes before he asked, “Mommy, can I make the tea for you?”

“Sure, that would be wonderful!”

“And can I choose the cup?”

“That would be great!”

He chose a Berenstain bears mug—his favourite—and poured the tea. I almost asked if he would help me drink it too, but waited to see if he would offer.

Several minutes passed. He carried the tea to the table and carefully set it on the coaster at my place setting. He lifted the tea bag and, after letting it cool for a few minutes, he wrung it out with his hands—something he didn’t learn from me. When I asked if he had been petting our dog before he did that, he smiled sheepishly and said, “I don’t think I was.”

“Could I taste it?” he asked.

“Of course you may! I was waiting for you to ask.” And so it turned out that I had a few swallows of my Mother’s Day tea and Kordan enjoyed the rest of it.

We sat down for dinner and waited a few moments for our oldest daughter, Alicia, to join us. She brought a vase that she had made, filled with dandelions—my favourite bouquet from my children. Nicole announced that she was making a pottery item but it wasn’t finished yet. Bryan and I had a little wrestling match and Todd gave me lots of hugs.

My husband got me the only gift I asked for—a new Bluetooth for my car so I will stop breaking the law and drive safely. Tim and each child, in his or her own way, communicated in the love language they each speak, that I am loved and that is all that matters.

Motherhood is more about sacrifice, giving and serving than any other thing. And, as a mother, I confess that it isn’t always easy. I do it well in some areas and not so well in other areas of my role as a mom.

Fortunately successful motherhood isn’t about sacrificing perfectly but about giving our best, owning up when we make mistakes, and loving unconditionally. Even when life isn’t perfect and the tea we are served has been wrung out with little hands—hands that may or may not have touched puppies—we are called to love and accept, no strings attached. And the love we receive in return is more valuable than any other gift a mother could get.

With all its ups and downs, I would have it no other way! I love being a mother!