Motherhood

Though I am not a biological mother, I have nurtured, guided, taught and loved thousands as a teacher and a librarian. In fact, it was a common fact that many of the career teachers in the South were not biological mothers. Perhaps that is why they had the patience, fortitude and time to steer other people’s children in the right direction.

I am currently working with young mothers who drop their children off at daycare as they entrust their young ones to others for a few hours. I see how they love their children, say long goodbyes and if their children are having a rough morning, they lovingly pick them up and take them to their destinations, at the risk of being late for work.

As the saying goes, “Once a mother, always a mother.” Some used to think that motherhood ended when their children left the nest. But, we now know that this is not the case. If their adult children are  going through a few miles of rough road, any real parent will help them gather the pieces and do what they can to assist them. It’s what good parents do. It is an endless but gratifying role that has many inner rewards. 

As the youngest in a family of four children, I was there when all of the sisters came back to the nest at some point. They needed a break from real life and a second wind to go out there and slay their dragons. Our parents unhesitantly opened the door to receive them. They were both willing and able to be there for them. Again, it is what good parents do as they love their children until the end of their days on earth.

If the money is low and they can not pick their children up and carry them, they offer loads of encouragement, offer them good books and preach and pray over them. The mothers and fathers, aunts, uncles and grandparents and even unknown people will  come to the aid while helping a child feel that they ‘can do it.‘  

Sometimes, the guidance comes from the most unlikely places. While in the 8th grade, me and my best friend, Carolyn were walking down the mean streets of Woodlawn in Chicago while lighting up a cigarette. We were both teachers’ pets with Tennessee roots and we were desperately trying to fit in with the local hoodwinks. This woman leaned out her window and hollered  “Put it out!” We did not know her but the authority in her voice made us obey quickly. She was acting as a village mother. It truly takes a village! 

So, to all of the mothers whether biological mothers, sister mothers, foster mothers, village mothers and any other title that encompasses the following qualities, I salute you during this Mother’s Day weekend. They are loving, helpful, guiding lights as they steer, redirect reprimand, nudge, reset, nurture, and of course, the list of caring qualities is endless.

“The earth will help the woman….” Revelation 12: 16

Lynn M.
May 11, 2024