Moms are very special people. I speak from the authoritative positions of a son and of a father and grandfather, and of a husband. I think often of my mother. I remember her caring for me and about me. She was not a perfect person, and I 'm sure she didn't know all the things about parenting that moms do today, but she was my mother and she always will occupy that place in my world.
I saw my wife raise our children. She was always there for them. I can't lay claim to the same thing. I wore a military uniform and I worked to support a family. Those things meant that I wasn't always there for my children...but I knew that my wife, their mother, was and that was my way of justifying my not being around as much as I would've liked or as much as my wife would've liked.
She worked hard too but somehow always found the time to be a mom. That is, I believe, a big part of what makes a mom so special. She was the person who made sacrifices for her children when their father was not so inclined or felt he was unable to do so. Her children knew that even if dad wasn't home, they could rely on their mother to be there.
My generation had more 'stay at home' moms than the generation of today does. In fact, moms who worked outside the home, except for farm moms, were the minority in my generation. That has been turned upside down since and the reverse is certainly true today. Both mom and dad need to work today to support their families. Day care centers were unheard of in my generation, but are the norm today. There are more step-moms today then ever before, as well. While they do not have the very same maternal bond, they too share the mom and child bonds that develop from everyday life, from the trials and tribulations, from all the smiles and hugs and kisses.
Will the children of today feel a difference? I hope not and I don't think so. Kids of today already have formed that bond between themselves and mom. In some instances, they were deprived of mom's time and attention...and even in those cases, I think there is a connection that will continue throughout their lives.
I have been blessed in my memories of my mother, my childrens' mother and in being able to watch our kids and grandkids grow up and in knowing how they feel about mom.
This is a special thank you to all the moms and Gammas and Nanas. Where would we dads and kids and grandkids be without you? In the case of mom, we wouldn't be at all...and I hope we don't permit 'science' to intrude on this blessed relationship that is God's gift.
