As we left church yesterday, my entire family and I went to visit my eldest sister in law’s family. We hadn’t seen them in a while. Besides, my kids were longing to see their cousins too. I can say that we all had fun – chatting, gaming, laughing and having a lot to eat too; oh the blessedness of visiting family.

We said our good byes and left for home. All my children slept off on the trip back home. This is very typical of them when we take long drives. As soon as we got home, they woke up, we settled down to watch our favourite family show together while I tried to prepare dinner. I wanted to retire early in preparation for the week but I still had a couple of things to attend to.

I laid down for a moment’s rest and was often interrupted with calls from people who wanted to wish me well for the International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day celebrations. It has literally been a weeklong celebration of women; deservedly so. I couldn’t help thinking through my relationship with my biological mother, the many women who have influenced me and the relationships I currently had with each and every one of my children and finally with the few who looked up to me as a mother.

My reflection brought me smiles. They evoked a myriad of emotions and revealed the quest for happiness that I perhaps sought. I thought of the roller coaster ride that I often had with my mummy and a genuine gladness welled up in me. I am because she is. After all she represents the first hand model of what mothering is all about to me. Many of the values and ‘biases’ I currently hold were learnt from her.

 

I realized that I was in a constant pursuit for what I termed as excellence. I almost always want to ensure that my interactions with loved ones are tangible and relevant. Many fun activities with my children are premeditated and followed through to the teeth; well except maybe for impulsive singing and dancing. Lol. As much as I am a propagator of being intentional, it appeared that I was taking my roles cum responsibilities a little too serious. Lol. Even my thoughtful actions and supposed spontaneous activities were too often judged by me. I so want for my children to have the very best mum anyone could ask for. As the yellow brick road to Oz, connotes a route to happiness as a destination, I rationalized that my relationships are an integral part of finding ‘happy’. I am a relationship centric. Whether it is my communion with God or my fellowship with man, I am wired to be intimate so I am constantly drawn to depth.

I am grateful for such little graces and the opportunities to celebrate being a woman and a mother. I am even the more thankful when I consider the very many tangible relationships I enjoy with so many beautiful and truly amazing women.

 

I celebrate the wonder called Woman!

 

Photo credit: Own pictures and Google Images