This is not my favourite time of year. It is a difficult day for me and for some reason this year it seems amplified. No particular reason except maybe I am entering that “sentimental old fool” phase of my life. One of my more recent blogging buddies, The Hook, (I suggest visiting him but not while drinking anything that can come out your nose when you laugh) has been wandering through some of my older posts. This is his subtle way of letting me know I need to write more. When he comments I have to go back and read them myself to respond. This particular post reminds of how blessed I am with all the children in my life.
•••
As Mother’s Day fast approaches I am reminded daily that I am not a Mother. I have never been a Mother. I have never been blessed with having children of my own. It wasn’t that I don’t like kids, or that I didn’t want kids. It just wasn’t in the cards.
I have, however, a bounty of children in my life. I have been very fortunate that my sisters have been more than willing to share their children with me. Yes, I am Auntie M to most and I love them all dearly. Over the years I have spent a great deal of time with my siblings children and have been quite fortunate to have some wonderful relationships with them. The girls are fun and we get to do girl stuff together. The boys can be awkward but I thrive when we find a common ground and build a trusting relationship. I have been there for them all whether it was to celebrate something good, cry about something bad, vent about their parents, query about the opposite sex or bail them out of jail. I have changed diapers, shopped for prom dresses, cleaned up throw up – all the joys only a mother should know.
One of the most amazing experiences of my life came from my husband’s youngest and her husband. They allowed me to be a part of the birth of their children, something I could never have experienced on my own. Yes, I helped to deliver their son and then a couple of years later their daughter. In fact, the second time they asked me to cut the cord! You can’t imagine the torture that young girl has endured ever since,what with me bragging about her having the most amazing belly button in the world. (Seriously, I sent pictures of her belly button to people instead of baby pictures).
Watching all the children in my life grow over the years has given me great joy, and yes also some heartache. I could not be more proud or love them more if I was their Mother. One is now overseas, serving in Afghanistan, not for the first time. Another followed me into the television industry and another is studying harder than anyone I know to become a teacher. I could carry on with the list, they are all amazing, but there are a lot of them.
I hope they will all do me proud and remember to thank their Mother’s on Mother’s Day, and tell them how much they love them and how grateful they are that they are their Mother. I know I thank them for being Mothers and am ever grateful for them allowing me to be a part of their children’s lives.
We have a new first time Mom this Mother’s Day in my family. My youngest niece, who also happens to be my Goddaughter, gave birth on March 31st, to the most beautiful little girl. Ellee Rose will be loved and shared and cherished by all the Mom’s in the family and by her Auntie M.
•••
Since its writing a lot has changed. Little Ellee is now three and cruising around in her Nanna’s backyard in her own vehicle.
Ellee Cruising In Pink
One year old Logan is the new baby and he is doing cruising of his own in his own way.
Logan On The Cruise
Cyndi (the belly button girl) is now dancing and drawing cartoons of me that resemble an old granny.
Cyndi Dancing
I have also had the honour of getting to know a very special young lady named Jane. She is 10 and has taught me a lot in the past few months. She has a very special place in my heart and I am grateful she has let me love her.
Sweet Jane
Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my own Mom. I was only 12 when she passed but she was an amazing Mother who lived, breathed and died for her children. Her love for us was unconditional. She will always be loved and always be missed.
My Mom
Thank you, Hook, for reminding me exactly how blessed I am.
Seems to me, Michelle, that you have the best of both worlds – all the love and fun, and yes some cleaning up and yuk stuff, without the responsibility – to have family to love and interact with is a bounteous gift. Happy un-Mum’s Day dear!
Thank you, Meredith. You are right. If there is one thing I have a bounty of it is family. I hope you are having a wonderful un-Mum’s Day, too.
Umm … well, being a childless only child living thousands of miles from my ex’s family in Canada, family is one thing I have nothing of, except the memory of my darling mother. Always a woman who walked her own path, she used to frown on the ‘commercial’ mothers day, insisting instead that we go to church together (when I was there, at home) on Mothering Sunday, whenever that was (I’ve forgotten) in the church calendar 🙂 But I had a lovely Sunday dear, thank you. 🙂
I new you would come through. Now that was a story that all mothers or anyone that had a mother could feel the enormous love that is out there
we all share.
Thanks Judy. Having known your kids I would say you were probably one of the Moms that got it right.
Today, my best friend sent me a message that said, Happy Aunti’s Day. Your post made me think about how I am blessed to be many things.
That’s a very special best friend. One of my God Daughters use to send me a Mother’s Day card every year. It always brought me to tears. You’re right we are blessed to be a lot of things to a lot of people.
Seems you are a blessing to many as well.
Thank you, Oma. I believe we reap what we sow.
Beautiful work, Michelle.
I am honored to have inspired you. Your support fuels my creative engine as well.
Thanks Hook.
Now if I could just get my butt in gear and write a little more consistently.
Do the best you can!
That’s all anyone can ask.
I never thought to take pictures of their belly buttons. That could become a trend.
I think I might have said this before. If I did, it just bears repeating, and if not, well then it’s about time: you have such a beautiful family, and it is quite the honor to be invited to be part of the birth. That right there says how special you are, as if we didn’t already know that.
You are too sweet Hippie Cahier. I do have an amazing family. A lot of them. A great big, hodge podge, mess of a beautiful family.
There is nothing like a big, loving family where everyone is involved in the love and the hope and the heartaches of growing. With my own family scattered around the country, I am envious of your frequent presence in the lives of yours. So thank you for letting me share it.
And I agree with Hook — you have many wonderful stories to tell, Michelle. And a willing audience to read them. Come on, lady! Come on~
And Happy Family Day to you, my friend.
My family is pretty scattered as well with some of it in your country. I spend a lot of time driving to make sure that I see them. Skype has been a blessing so that I don’t miss too much with the little ones. Ellee is just starting to understand I don’t live in the computer. I have also just started using Facetime to chat with Jane. It is an amazing world we live in?
What a special family! You look so much like your mother and I love Sweet Jane’s haircut and can tell how special she is. Hope the remainder of your day is wonderful!
There is a before picture of Jane’s hair cut. It was really quite long. She decided to grow it out so that she could donate it to “Wigs for Kids” ( a program for kids undergoing cancer treatment). Yep, she is a pretty special kid.
I get it…this is quite a complex holiday for many, comes with shadow and sun. Maybe it’s an age thing, maybe not we live with the hand we’re dealt and carry on. The Hook sounds like a smart guy, thx for the link. I second The Hook…more words, please 🙂
Toni
Wonderful, heart-felt post, Michelle. I think this one was aching to get out. I think about my sister a lot on this day, and feel a sense of guilt. She should have been a mommy but it wasn’t quite in the cards for her either, and yet she is such a special part of my kids’ lives. I’m going to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day now. You deserve it, and your family is so lucky that you are there for them.
Thank you, Amy. There’s a lot of people like your sister and I out there in the world. I think we are the support team for all the great Moms like you. Like in baseball, sometimes you need a designated base runner so you can handle the heavy hitting.
You have reminded us all that ‘mothering’ is more than sharing a set of genes. You have been mothering many around you. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
Many thanks, Renee. I have always had some pretty good people to emulate.
Those are some wonderful photos of a lot of special people who I know must feel very blessed to have you in their lives, Ms. G!
And I very much admire your bravery, too! I’m pretty sure I’d have passed-out on umbilical cord duty! You will have to remind Cyndi just how lucky she is to have had such a brave surgeon! 🙂
Thank you, Robert. I think Cyndi would rather forget at this point. She’s at that age that I could totally mess with her if I was a mean Aunty.
The bounty of children you have in your life are very lucky to have you in theirs. Great post.
Thank you. You are very kind, Stacia. I appreciate you stopping by.
Just think of all the sleep you didn’t have to miss, though!
Seriously, it sounds like you’ve done a great job at mothering despite not having any children yourself. More children should be so lucky to have someone as caring as you in their lives, and I’m sure the ones who do have you, love you dearly.
Thanks, David. I missed plenty of sleep pacing the floor with my sisters and every time one of them moved in with me.
You care. You worry. It’s a rule.
I totally understand the “hard day” part. It is so bittersweet for me too. I miss my Mom desperately. She never got to meet my kids and that breaks my heart probably more than anything. But I have been blessed with wonderful children, amazing nieces and a terrific nephew, a loving “adopted” Mom in my mother-in-law, and many inspiring, strong women (including you!). My Mom made sure I was all set up before she left. Yours did too. xo
Things didn’t work out for us the way my Mom had planned but by then it was out of her hands. I suppose everything that did happen is why I am who I am.
You have amazing kids and I am shocked to see how much time has passed every time I see them on skype.
I do believe that your Mother has seen them and that she watches you with them every day. She is both delighted and proud.
Sometimes it takes a blogger friend to be reminded about the good things in life. You seemed to be blessed with a wonderful family full of children in all ages. And they lucky to have your love trickle down over them.
You have been that blogger friend on more than one occasion, Otto. I thank you for that. I am blessed with lots of family and lots of little ones to play with.
This was such a wonderful post. I have always been so grateful for people in my childrens life like you. It takes a village to raise a child and we could not do it without you.
Thank you Lexiesnana.
I appreciate you finding me and following. You shared a pretty poignant story on Mother’s Day. It was lovely.
Thank you so much.
how lovely, as always Michelle. I see your mother in you. what a nice remembrance to carry with you.
Thanks Leslie. It’s nice to hear from you again, it has been awhile.
I know exactly what you mean! I have no human kids, but I have lots of pets and 3 nieces who keep me very busy and fulfilled. 🙂
To be honest as they hit a certain age I think it is much easier to be Auntie M.
That’s what I thought too. I thought once they passed the “terrible twos”, it would get easier, but now they are more vocal about dislikes, which makes it harder. 😦 Very thankful I am just Auntie also (they call me “TT”)! I don’t know what I would do if I was in charge of them 24/7 and had to discipline them!