Rejoice in motherhood

"What should I get for Mom this year" is a question many ask around Mother's Day. As the holiday approaches, most people's thoughts turn toward mom. I am the mother of three wonderful children whom I cherish beyond words.

However, I have a different perspective on motherhood than many.

My daughter presented me with a Mother's Day card and gift earlier this week. I was thrilled that she thought of me. The card she selected came from her and her two small children. It bestowed me with all the qualities of a saint. But I felt sad receiving the gift because I thought she required the funds more than I needed the gift. I knew she loved me without her having to prove it by getting a present. I realized, though, that it was good for her to show her love at this special time.

I believe I am, undoubtedly, the privileged one. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to raise my three children. My husband and I were not blessed with biological children but God, nevertheless, presented us with three darling infants through adoption. It's an indescribable pleasure to help mold little ones and be a part of their lives. So awesome! I should be the thankful one because I have them in my life. To me, Mother's Day is a time for mothers to be grateful for the right to raise children.

It's reason to rejoice when parents can accompany their children while they grow. Children do not ask to be born, so they should be taken care of and protected at any cost.

What greater treasure can one possess than watching a little person unfold like the opening bud of a flower or grow into a full grown tree, seeing their branches spread and mature? Although I'm filled with appreciation when my children make special efforts to honor me on Mother's Day I often think I should be the one honoring them for filling my life through the years. They are a constant reminder of the past, but better still, they are a promise of the future.

While children are in school, they provide you with opportunities to relive your days in education validating a mother's identity and taste in humbling ways. When my daughter married, she tried to wear the wedding dress in which I had taken marriage vows. That endeavor failed because the garment did not suit her unique style. Regardless, I was honored that she desired to wear "my" dress and was complimented as her mother.

Our sons make us proud, too. When I remember their escapades, honors and, yes, even accidents during their young years, I recall the experience and realize how exciting life was. I never felt more loved -- even while taking the bad with the good. Despite who else is around, no one can take the place of one's mother.

What an awesome responsibility it is being a mother. Your son or daughter watches what you do, how you react to life's experiences, how hard you work and of what your priorities are. What higher achievement can one attain?

I'm sure that Mary, the mother of Jesus, felt the same way. She followed her son through all the steps of his life that she could. She suffered when he hurt and taught him to be a man. She asked him for help when it was needed, as was shown at the wedding feast of Cana. He honored her wishes by changing water into the best of wine. We often fail to notice when children make efforts to help us, complaining they never do anything. I'm thankful when ours have dinner with me or present gifts on Mother's Day, but I'll never stop believing that I am the one most blessed -- simply because I'm "their" mother.

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.