Moms: When Do We Get to Celebrate? Celebration for moms is scheduled in May; but I’m wondering when does it really happen?
Is it between adult diaper changes or accidents that require a change of clothes? Is it packing to travel for an adult child and making sure there is a change of clothes if needed? Is it all the sterilization of medical equipment for procedures a mom (non-nurse) does daily after training she never thought she’d have or need? Is it after the long day is done and there is no energy left to do something for oneself? What is it for you, sweet mom?
Recalling the tough menopause I had (that continues) and an appointment I had to try to remedy it years ago, I shared the stress of my days that I felt contributed to triggering hot flashes (at that time - some 35 per day lasting 10 minutes each). In doing the math for the first time for this blog, I realize that is almost 6 hours a day. Now I get it. That was stressful and miserable alone, let alone when added to any normal day that was full of giving care. But back to the appointment: After sharing what my day/life of 24/7 caregiving looked like and some frustrations and challenges, the person taking notes before the doctor arrived summarized my heartfelt frustrations with, “That might be more under the ‘busy than stress.’
How does one respond to that summary? I was so humored at her lack of empathy that I wanted to laugh. I was sad for the same reason. But honestly unless you are a mom caring 24/7 for one (or more) with special needs…you just don’t get it.
Image from @dirtjoy on Unsplash
While menopause might not be your stress, no doubt you have some stress(es). Can we encourage each other on this journey to take time to celebrate ourselves and others? In an all too busy day and life how does it look? How can it look?
Ways to CELEBRATE as we encourage, love, and support each other as moms (and others are welcome to join in):
Give a mom a hug telling her how she is doing a great job.
Send a note to say you are thinking of and/or praying for her.
Call and ask, “how are you doing?” And listen.
Stop over to deliver a cup of hot specialty coffee (or their favorite beverage) when you know she’s home – adding a snack is sweet, too!
When you see a small gift that says, “This is you,” pick it up and present it to her; or mail it. An added note is kind, too.
When you see other moms out and about give them a smile; don’t look the other way. They will take that with them for a long time; it’s not the norm.
Thank them for how they’ve endured and persevered…every day.
Whether any of the above ever happens, let’s not forget, as moms, to take moments here and there to celebrate our victories – even the small ones no one will ever see! Let’s not forget to embrace life and our journey that is long and lovely and a gift. Let’s not forget that we are not alone. Fellow moms. The Lord. Our families. Our child(ren). Celebrate. And Happy Mother’s Day.
Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share their newest book: Love All-Ways: Embracing Marriage Together on the Special Needs Journey (order at www.cindiferrini.com). They are authors, speakers, and bloggers for several blogging sites on marriage, family and special needs. They spoke nationally for FamilyLife Weekend To Remember Marriage Get-a-Ways for 20 years, authored *Unexpected Journey – When Special Needs Change our Course, and have been interviewed on Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Janet Parshall at “In the Market”, and various other radio and television venues. Connect with them at: www.cindiferrini.com and via social media at:
www.facebook.com/cindi.ferrini
