Mother's Day, Mothering Memories, Outward Focus

Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on by Michele Morin

Some of my happiest mothering memories are set in a blue mini-van on the open road as our family traveled cross country for five weeks back in the summer of 2010. With very few distractions, our time together was focused on the beauty around us and the many sights we all shared for the first time.

Setting up the tent each evening, we tried to shave seconds off our previous record set-up time. Camp sites that had a pool AND a laundry facility got bonus points. We found that if we really stretched our arms, our whole family could connect around a giant redwood tree. Side by side, we marveled at wonders both natural and man made: Niagara Falls and Mount Rushmore; Old Faithful and the Space Needle. Our shared focus was outward, and the world was huge and gorgeous.

Maybe the most important secret in fulfilling our wish for a Happy Mother’s Day this weekend is to strive for that outward focus. Disappointment looms large in this season when all the Hallmark movies and cheesy commercials urge us to expect great things from our offspring and devoted husbands. This is the day that’s supposed to make all the sacrifice of the preceding 364 days “worth it,” right?

Realism lands hard in the month of May.

My Mother’s Day wish for you this weekend is the gift of an outward focus. Find a way to show honor and appreciation to a woman who is pouring herself into the lives of others. If your own mum has passed away, adopt someone for the day. Shower attention and love on the woman who mothers your grandchildren and puts up with your son everyday. Call a friend who has made the world richer just because she’s in your life — and tell her so!

“Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”  Proverbs 11:25 (CEB)

Wishing you a refreshing Mother’s Day!

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a teacher, blogger, reader, and gardener who finds joy in sitting at a table surrounded by women with open Bibles. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty years, and together they have four sons, two daughters-in-love, three grandchildren, and one lazy St. Bernard. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

17 thoughts on “Happy Mother’s Day!”

  1. “My Mother’s Day wish for you this weekend is the gift of an outward focus. Find a way to show honor and appreciation to a woman who is pouring herself into the lives of others.”

    I love this so very much. And I love those five week you spent in the van and on the road. It’s got me making plans for our own blue minivan.

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  2. Like themomgene, I love the quote. Michelle, you are so right about unrealistic expectations. They only lead to disappointment. Motherhood is a long haul sort of experience. Like a long road trip, you experience a who range of things before you by to go destination and not all of them are good. But it’s with it. That’s why we do it again and again. And through these experiences, good and not so enjoyable, God shapes us. Happy Mothers Day.

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    1. That’s for sure! Motherhood has been the sandpaper God has used in so many ways on this work in progress. I’m grateful, all the while knowing that it’s not always been easy.

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  5. Happy Mother’s Day Michele! Yesterday afternoon my daughter and I had High Tea at an event where I was the MC and guest speaker. This morning I ran in the Mother’s Day Run in memory of my Mum who passed away from breast cancer 32 years ago. Rachel and I usually run together but as she is due to have her baby around June 10 running or even walking 8km was a little much to ask! I just love spending time with my children which is the best give to me.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

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  6. Happy Mother’s Day. Some, for me, have been eventful and others not so much. I never know how it will unfold. Great idea to shower a DIL that is a mom or even a daughter. I’m the age that all the friend’s moms have long since passed so your post makes me think that we should during the week of Mom’s Day have a Mom’s without Mother’s lunch dates. Have a great week. Loved seeing your visit to my blog.
    Peabea from Peabea Scribbles

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I loved this post, Michele. It was fun to see your old family photo and think about the memories you made on your journey west and back again. I’m sure your sons will tell entertain their own children with tales from that great adventure.

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