To Mothers... To Women

It's Mother's Day tomorrow, and there are two things I am eternally grateful for especially after a day like today. 

First, tomorrow I will get to call my own mother and hear her voice and wish her a "Happy Mother's Day" rather than at a grave site.

Today, I went and heard my friend, at the ripe old age of 21, speak at her mother's funeral. She spoke with such poise and strength. I witnessed her younger sisters at the young ages of 12 and 15 say their good-byes. There is only one word that describes such a scene...heart-wrenching.

The second, tomorrow I will hear the little girl that made me a mother wish me a, "Hoppy Ma-her Day Mommy!" A saying she has been practicing all day.

Today, I am well aware of my blessings of having both my mother and my babies. Some days they are taken for granted, not today. 

As Mother's Day is approaching I read an article called, "Top 5 animated Mothers of all Time". Ellie, from Up was on the list. Here is the excerpt.

" If you've seen "UP" then you know Ellie never actually became a mother in what is probably the most touching opening 10 minutes of an animated film. But even though we only had a glimpse of Ellie, she represents those amazing women who take on the role of aunt, friend, role model and teacher without ever having children of their own. She would have been an amazing mom, and I'd like to think there's a director's cut somewhere with scenes of Ellie running a Girl Scout troop or taking her niece on an adventure. The Ellies of the world deserve our appreciation on Mother's Day as well."

To say I loved this was an understatement. Some of my dearest friends do not have children, and I cannot imagine my motherhood journey without these amazing women. They love me; they love my children. They love to know how they are doing. They love to know how I am doing. They seem genuinely interested in my life, just as I am in theirs. I have yet to experience a "break down" but I know if I did one phone call to one of these dear ladies they would be at my side in seconds, offering to babysit children while I go get a massage or just go out to eat... by myself, AND most importantly they wouldn't judge me. I love asking them for advice even though they will start off with "Well, I wouldn't know but maybe try..." They aren't clouded with the thinking that only a certain method will work. They are able to step back and see it at a different angle. I love these friends. My children love these friends. I unfortunately, do not see them as much as I like, life happens and next thing I know it's been months since I have seen them, but it doesn't change anything. I see them again and we don't miss a beat. As the article says, "The Ellies of the world deserve our appreciation" They do, they most certainly do.

So to the women whatever your roles may be. To the friends, to the aunts, to the teachers, to the leaders, to the daycare workers, to whoever I have missed, you deserve the love too.

lie from "UP" — If you've seen "UP" then you know Ellie never actually became a mother in what is probably the most touching opening 10 minutes of an animated film. But even though we only had a glimpse of Ellie, she represents those amazing women who take on the role of aunt, friend, role model and teacher without ever having children of their own. She would have been an amazing mom, and I'd like to think there's a director's cut somewhere with scenes of Ellie running a Girl Scout troop or taking her niece on an adventure. The Ellies of the world deserve our appreciation on Mother's Day as well.
Read more at http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1205&sid=29781944#r4TvAWIkT8Ag2yIl.99

lie from "UP" — If you've seen "UP" then you know Ellie never actually became a mother in what is probably the most touching opening 10 minutes of an animated film. But even though we only had a glimpse of Ellie, she represents those amazing women who take on the role of aunt, friend, role model and teacher without ever having children of their own. She would have been an amazing mom, and I'd like to think there's a director's cut somewhere with scenes of Ellie running a Girl Scout troop or taking her niece on an adventure. The Ellies of the world deserve our appreciation on Mother's Day as well.
Read more at http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1205&sid=29781944#r4TvAWIkT8Ag2yIl.99

lie from "UP" — If you've seen "UP" then you know Ellie never actually became a mother in what is probably the most touching opening 10 minutes of an animated film. But even though we only had a glimpse of Ellie, she represents those amazing women who take on the role of aunt, friend, role model and teacher without ever having children of their own. She would have been an amazing mom, and I'd like to think there's a director's cut somewhere with scenes of Ellie running a Girl Scout troop or taking her niece on an adventure. The Ellies of the world deserve our appreciation on Mother's Day as well.
Read more at http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1205&sid=29781944#r4TvAWIkT8Ag2yIl.99

lie from "UP" — If you've seen "UP" then you know Ellie never actually became a mother in what is probably the most touching opening 10 minutes of an animated film. But even though we only had a glimpse of Ellie, she represents those amazing women who take on the role of aunt, friend, role model and teacher without ever having children of their own. She would have been an amazing mom, and I'd like to think there's a director's cut somewhere with scenes of Ellie running a Girl Scout troop or taking her niece on an adventure. The Ellies of the world deserve our appreciation on Mother's Day as well.
Read more at http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1205&sid=29781944#r4TvAWIkT8Ag2yIl.99