Happy Mother's Day, Mom! - Whole Food Health Coach

Mom Facts:

1st Mother’s Day: May 10, 1908; Founded by Anna Jarvis; made a national holiday in 1914 by President Wilson
Busiest Phone Day: 68% of people plan to call Mom on Mother’s Day, totaling 122.5 million phone calls
Card Giving: 50% of households give Mother’s Day cards, totaling some 152 million cards.
Average age for first time moms is 25 (21 in 1970)
Moms today average 2 kids (1950s: 3.5 kids; 1700s: 7-10 kids)
4.3 babies are born each second
Most children: Mrs. Vassilyev of Russia gave birth to 69 children between 1725 and 1765
Oldest mom: Rosanna Dalla Corte gave birth to a baby boy when she was 63 years old in Italy in 1994
Heaviest Newborn: Signora Carmelina Fedele gave birth to a 22 lb 8 oz boy in Italy in 1955
Diaper Changes: 7,300 by baby’s 2nd birthday
Diaper Changing Speed: Moms take 2 minutes, 5 seconds (adds up to 3 40-hour work weeks each year!)
Preschooler requires mom’s attention once every 4 minutes or 210 times / day
Taking Care: Preschooler moms spend 2.7 hrs / day on primary childcare
Housekeeping: Women average 2.2 hrs / day, vs. 1.3 hrs / day for men
Laundry: 88% is done by moms, totaling 330 loads of laundry & 5,300 articles of clothing each year
Least Favorite Chore: Vacuuming the stairs

Moms are the most generous human beings on the planet. Often giving out of their own need. She has given out of her own need many times, not concerned with how she will get what she needs. She will figure that out later . . .

I’ve learned that the wealthy person is the one who’s content with what she has. My mother has not had a lot of physical wealth but she has always been content with what she has had.

I’ve learned that more comfort doesn’t necessarily mean more happiness. She is living proof.

I’ve learned that regardless of how little you have, you can always give comfort and encouragement. Mom has always had plenty of comfort and encouragement to go around. As the youngest of eight children, we have all received much more from our mother than she will ever know. There isn’t one of us that has ever lacked, if she knew about it, she would take care of it, whatever the lack may be!

I’ve learned that, ultimately, takers lose, and givers win! My mother has been taken for granted, taken advantage of, and taken for a ride more than once, but like Jesus said, “no one takes my life from me, I willingly lay it down.” That is my mother. No one can really take from you what you willingly give with a heart full of love and obedience to God.

PARENTING

I’ve learned that the more a child feels valued, the more valuable they become. My mother has always made us kids feel valuable. She has increased our worth, because of that love and encouragement.

I’ve learned that kindness is more important than perfection. She was never as concerned with a perfect job as she was in a job “well done” and she made sure to always tell us if we had done our best and when we had done well.

I’ve learned that if you care, it shows. Not only does it show in her life, but I believe it shows in her kid’s lives as well. We have learned to care, because we saw care shown to us.

I‘ve learned that if your children feel safe, wanted, and loved, you are a successful parent. I did, and do, so she was and is! She showed me that time spent with a child is time well spent.

I’ve learned that I never appreciated my mother as much as when I became one! I never knew the kind of love, joy, and pain a mother experienced. The highest highs and the lowest lows I have ever felt have been in my relationships with my kids. I caused my mother no little concern as a teen, and I never understood unconditional love until I watched it in action through her life.

I’ve learned that being a good mother is the best occupation you can ever have. My mother worked an outside job as long as I can remember, but I always knew that she was there for me. I never felt alone even when I was! She was a “blue collar worker” but to me she was a top executive! She never attained “worldly success” but was a success in every way that truly mattered in life. I was proud of her as a child and I am proud of her as an adult.

CHARACTER

I’ve learned that if you can’t forgive and forget, you can at least forgive and move on. Life wasn’t easy for my mother, and over the years many hurts touched her heart, but there was no sign of anger or bitterness. She just did what she had to do, and did it to the best of her ability. She overlooked the offenses and pressed on with all her might. She taught me that it’s just as important to forget a wrong as it is to remember a kindness. She was good at both.

I’ve learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice. Mom is not a “talker” so advice was not abundant, but what was abundant was her presence. She was there and that is all that I needed most times. Just to talk to her on the phone or to squeeze her made the darkness disappear and light take its place.

MARRIAGE

I’ve learned that marriage is a refining fire, but the hotter the fire the better the Gold. She is 24 Karat in my book. She helped me to focus on my responsibility to my husband and to honor my commitment to him no matter what. Her perseverance was an example to me as I struggled unsuccessfully during the first years of my young marriage.

I’ve learned that it’s better to be married to someone with a good nature than a good physique. “Looks aren’t everything” she used to tell me during my dating days. “Beauty is only skin deep” was another well-known quote as I searched for “mister right”. I was lucky, Mom, with Jack, I got both!

AGING

I’ve learned that a full life is not determined by how long you live, but how well. My mom lives every day to the fullest. From church activities, family events, flying here to Atlanta to visit and weekly trips to Walmart! She does it all!

I’ve learned that I will never feel my age as long as I focus on my dreams instead of my regrets. Looking back on what could have been is never a positive sight, so Mom has taught me to look forward at what is yet to come. Get ready for it and don’t miss it.

I’ve learned that being a grandparent is God’s compensation for growing older. I could see how much joy my children brought to my mother. She loved me, and now there was more of me to love! Our family has grown and so has her love for all of us. She always seems to have enough to go around!

ME, PERSONALLY

I’ve learned that it only takes a little achievement to be considered “outstanding” by a mom who loves you! It really didn’t matter what I did, she was my greatest cheerleader. Still to this day she thinks I am “amazing” and when I am around her even I believe it!

I’ve learned that it is more important what I think of me, than what others think of me. So many opinions, so little worth our attention. I am who I am and that’s all that I am. I will grow, and learn, and change. As long as God and my Mom think I’m doing all right what else really matters?

I’ve learned that choices made in adolescence have long-term consequences, but a mother’s love can cover a multitude of sin. I’m sorry Mom, for becoming sexually active at fifteen and giving away my virginity in exchange for affection. I’m sorry for the grief and embarrassment that it caused you, but I am so thankful for your forgiveness and your unconditional love. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be today.

And lastly, I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn!

Mom anything of value that I have become is a direct result of your investment in me!