Page 28 - May Banner 2018_Neat

Page 28 May 2018
C atoctin
K IDs
by Anita DiGregory
“May Musings and Motherhood”
I love May in Maryland. The
sun has returned (for the most part)
and has generally decided to stick
around for a while. Bulky boots
have been replaced with flip flops,
or better yet, bare feet. It stays
lighter longer, somehow promising
a more potential-filled day. Lovingly
gathered and gifted dandelion
bouquets; the sounds of children’s
laughter at twilight; jars filled with
magical, glowing lightning bugs
soon to be released…stir memories
of long, lazy summers almost
forgotten.
I must admit, I look forward
to May and the beginning of
summer, nearly all year long.
Summer’s promises of family-
friendly opportunities, breaks in
schedules, chances for much-needed
reconnections, and occasions for
memory-making moments generally
sustain me through the long, cold,
over-scheduled days of winter.
However, this May promises
to be bittersweet for this momma.
Two more will graduate and move
on to the next exciting chapter of
their lives. As proud as I am of them
and as excited as I am for them to
start new adventures, this momma’s
heart will break just a little. I find
myself holding on just a little tighter,
a little longer, trying to press those
memories tightly in my heart, like
flowers pressed in a book.
I stumbled upon this quote from
Robert Farror Capon: “To be a
Mother is to be the sacrament—the
effective symbol—of place. Mothers
The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
For kids and parents alike “Mothers and their children are in
a category all their own. There’s
no bond so strong in the entire
world. No love so instantaneous and
forgiving.”
~ Gail Tsukiyama
“A mother is the truest friend we
have, when trials heavy and sudden
fall upon us; when adversity takes
the place of prosperity; when friends
do not make homes, they are our Moving Mom Musings desert us; when trouble thickens
home: in the simple sense that we around us, still will she cling to us,
begin our days by long sojourn “I remember my mother’s prayers and endeavor by her kind precepts
within the body of a woman; in the and counsels to dissipate the clouds
extended sense that she remains our and they have always followed me. of darkness, and cause peace to
center of gravity through the years. They have clung to me all my life.” return to our hearts.”
She is the very diagram of belonging, ~ Abraham Lincoln
the where in whose vicinity we are ~ Washington Irving
fed and watered. She is geography “Motherhood: All love begins and
incarnate.” ends there.” “Having kids—the responsibility
I think he is right about this. My of rearing good, kind, ethical,
mother succeeded in creating this. I ~ Robert Browning responsible human beings—is the
guess this is why my siblings and I biggest job anyone can embark on.”
have been known to travel miles and “[Motherhood is] the biggest gamble ~ Maria Shriver
pack our families—nineteen in all— in the world. It is the glorious life
into a tiny little home by the beach force. It’s huge and scary—it’s an
for a week. Through the good times act of infinite optimism.” “How can it be a large career to tell
and the bad, the fights and tears, the ~ Gilda Radner other people’s children about the
laughs and hugs, family sustains. In Rule of Three, and a small career
that safe space, I exhale. “My mother was the most beautiful to tell one’s own children about
I hope I have succeeded in woman I ever saw. All I am I owe the universe? How can it be broad
creating this for my brood. Recently, to my mother. I attribute my success to be the same thing to everyone,
on a really bad, horrible, no and narrow to be everything to
good day, my oldest (who is soon in life to the moral, intellectual and someone? No. A woman’s function
expecting his own first little one) physical education I received from is laborious, but because it is
told my husband and I not to worry; her.” gigantic, not because it is minute. I
we had created a home where the ~ George Washington will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness
children will want to return to of her task; I will never pity her for
visit, a safe place filled with love “I believe the choice to become a its smallness.”
and memories. In that moment, he mother is the choice to become one
brought me much-needed peace and of the greatest spiritual teachers ~ G. K. Chesterton
hope. I hope he is right. there is.”
So as May unfolds, I wish you the ~ Oprah Winfrey Monumental Mommy Movies
happiest Mother’s Day. I wish you
long, beautiful days surrounded with “When you are a mother, you are Mom’s Night Out • The Blind Side
family, filled with love, and lots and never really alone in your thoughts. The Incredibles • Brave
lots of wonderful memory-making The Sound of Music • Akeelah and
opportunities. A mother always has to think twice, the Bee • Freaky Friday • Steel
We never know how many once for herself and once for her
moments we have left…seize this child.” Magnolias • My mom’s personal
moment and make it count! ~ Sophia Loren favorite: Terms of Endearment.