Yesterday was "Mothers Day." As a child, I loved making special little cards and gifts for my mother at school. But as a young mother, my fondness for the occasion was diminished by inadequate feelings of my own mothering skills. After a morning of the usual struggles of getting four children ready, sitting in church and listening to sweet mothers day songs and talks about how wonderful mothers were, I would sit and silently sob at my insufficiencies. Now that my own mother and grandmothers have passed, I really struggle with the holiday, as it makes me miss them so much. But yesterday I was very touched by my children and the wonderful words that they expressed to me in the cards and gifts that they gave to me.

Motherhood is quite a journey. At the time that you have that sweet little newborn baby, you realize the awesome responsibility you have been given to teach and train this little soul so that he can become a grownup and a parent someday himself. You think that you have a really long time to accomplish this, but the truth of it is, it goes by very quickly. And all too soon, you must let him go and hope that you did enough. The reward comes as you see these children become amazing adults, and wonderful parents themselves. I am so grateful I have the privilege of being a mother and most especially a grandmother. And I'm thankful for my four wonderful children for their love and kindness and for the great things they are accomplishing in their own lives.