Happy Mother's Day
Today being Mother's Day, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the day and the people who made it possible (No, not the florists). When I think to those I consider models for mothers, I look to my memory of my own, and to the example of my wife.
My mom was a simple girl of modest means growing up in the Iowa of the 40's and 50's. Many of her formative years were spent on her relative's farms. As a high school grad, she worked her way through nurses training, and after marriage, eventually went on to have six kids. For many years she was a stay at home mom, until the youngest child in the family got to grade school. At that point, she took nursing back up again.
But in all that time, Mom was always doing something else on the side. She had one of Pierre's antique shops all through those years, and was always had a can-do attitude. If she wanted to expore an area of interest, she went and did it. It eventually led her to a side career in the auction business. In Pierre, depending on your age, you either remember her as the auctioneer, or the school nurse. And her memory is equally treasured either way.
That "can-do attitude" is what I consider my mom's greatest influence on me, where I don't have pre-conceived limitations on myself. If I want to try something, I try it. I might fail, but at the least, I've learned something about it and myself in the process.
As for my wife, as a working mother, she's someone who has always kept busy and tried to juggle her family and her professional life. We started having chilren right away, so that's been an ever prevalent concern as it is for many mom's today.
When she was with the State, working for the Department of Ed, she was near the top of her game on a national level. In fact, as a board member, it had been remarked to her that some saw her rising to be national president of her professional organization.
Her job became one of constant travel statewide, regionwide, and to Washington DC. But the thing that weighed heaviest on her mind was not her professional duties. It was the fact her kids were growing up and she was on the road all the time. So when an opportunity arose, she walked away from a ladder that was continuing upwards. She took a job which allowed her travel to all but cease, and devote more of her time to her growing family. Because weighing career and motherhood, she made a choice that's much less glamorized in popular culture. She went for spending more time being a mom.
But don't take that to indicate she can't compete at the highest levels. My wife has a razor sharp mind, and can fiercely debate any and all comers. You should come particularly well prepared if you try to debate her in her field, because the odds aren't in your favor.
The lesson I hope my wife passes on to our children is that your family is the most important thing in your life. As the pace of our society becomes quicker and more impersonal, don't forget what's important at the end of the day. Jobs and opportunities can come and go. But you build your true legacy through your children.
(So I'm letting this mom get the unusual opportunity to sleep in today. Shhh....)
Happy Mother's Day.
My mom was a simple girl of modest means growing up in the Iowa of the 40's and 50's. Many of her formative years were spent on her relative's farms. As a high school grad, she worked her way through nurses training, and after marriage, eventually went on to have six kids. For many years she was a stay at home mom, until the youngest child in the family got to grade school. At that point, she took nursing back up again.
But in all that time, Mom was always doing something else on the side. She had one of Pierre's antique shops all through those years, and was always had a can-do attitude. If she wanted to expore an area of interest, she went and did it. It eventually led her to a side career in the auction business. In Pierre, depending on your age, you either remember her as the auctioneer, or the school nurse. And her memory is equally treasured either way.
That "can-do attitude" is what I consider my mom's greatest influence on me, where I don't have pre-conceived limitations on myself. If I want to try something, I try it. I might fail, but at the least, I've learned something about it and myself in the process.
As for my wife, as a working mother, she's someone who has always kept busy and tried to juggle her family and her professional life. We started having chilren right away, so that's been an ever prevalent concern as it is for many mom's today.
When she was with the State, working for the Department of Ed, she was near the top of her game on a national level. In fact, as a board member, it had been remarked to her that some saw her rising to be national president of her professional organization.
Her job became one of constant travel statewide, regionwide, and to Washington DC. But the thing that weighed heaviest on her mind was not her professional duties. It was the fact her kids were growing up and she was on the road all the time. So when an opportunity arose, she walked away from a ladder that was continuing upwards. She took a job which allowed her travel to all but cease, and devote more of her time to her growing family. Because weighing career and motherhood, she made a choice that's much less glamorized in popular culture. She went for spending more time being a mom.
But don't take that to indicate she can't compete at the highest levels. My wife has a razor sharp mind, and can fiercely debate any and all comers. You should come particularly well prepared if you try to debate her in her field, because the odds aren't in your favor.
The lesson I hope my wife passes on to our children is that your family is the most important thing in your life. As the pace of our society becomes quicker and more impersonal, don't forget what's important at the end of the day. Jobs and opportunities can come and go. But you build your true legacy through your children.
(So I'm letting this mom get the unusual opportunity to sleep in today. Shhh....)
Happy Mother's Day.
Comments
It is always great to know that some men are not scared to say thanks!
What's the history behind Father's Day? Did it come before or after Mother's Day recognition?
Love you.
smiles,
J