Raising our Offspring and Ourselves

Mother Duck and her Duckling

Good Evening, God!

I just came home from visiting my mom so Mothers are on my heart, God. This mother duck has only one duckling.  As I gazed at her, I hoped that she was a new mother who had only one duckling. One is so much easier to keep track of. I can still hear the agitated honking of a mother duck exhorting her eleven ducklings to keep close to her. Anxiety city!

Ah, to love is to experience a certain degree of anxiety — for ducks or humans. It takes energy to keep anxiety and worries at bay. Energy and Prayer!

I do pray for my Loved Ones when they are traveling or have a stressful event coming up. But, now that I think of it, I realize I do not pray for them routinely – putting them in Your Lap, every morning. How foolish of me, God!

When I was a child my father would tuck me in bed and then say the Lord’s Prayer with me. I would finish by blessing our family and our grandparents. I remember those prayers with great fondness, God. And I am wondering, why didn’t I do that for our three daughters?

I should have. Ah, God, I simply didn’t realize the vast scope of motherhood! And part of me is smiling — thinking I might not have become a mother if I had known! It was a clear case of ignorance being better than courage.

For I am thankful to be a mother — and now a grandmother. And in my wiser moments I am even thankful for all the mistakes I have made and am still making. Mistakes are how we learn. And my mistakes provide opportunities to forgive myself — and to seek and receive Your Forgiveness. Best of all, my mistakes help me grow in humility and compassion for all of us creatures.