Mother's Day

I miss my mom.

I miss a lot of things in Buriram...  Nick, crisp apples, vanilla yogurt, long conversations with my bestest of friends, reliable running water, shower heads, fresh coffee...  It’s easy to have a pity party if I get myself started.

But today I miss my mom.  Prang had to take herself from leading worship today in order to discipline her daughter.  She has an understanding about parenting many people don’t. She realizes that one of the most important aspects of raising good kids is spending the time to show them they’re lovable, to show them they’re precious.  Parents in Thailand often send kids home with grandparents or aunts while they work in the city.  As Prang put it, Grandma’s give in to kids.  They’re supposed to, right? :) So kids often grow up doing whatever they want, and not getting much time from mom or dad.  It’s easy for me to be disgusted and impatient with some of the behaviors by kids and teens here... but when I learn that a disrespectful 13 year old is being raised by an aunt responsible for about 6 kids, my disgust quickly turns to compassion.  Misbehavior, whatever the form, is a symptom of an illness.  An illness whose cure is nothing less than pure, selfless, unconditional love.  Acting lovable requires feeling loved.

Since today is Mother’s Day, I’d like to thank my mom for spending the time to help me understand that I am indeed lovable, that I am indeed precious.  I think of the special birthday dinners when we’d all get dressed up to eat Chinese stir-fry and fortune cookies at House of Hunan.  And the 6-mile-bike rides on the Keystone trail where we played on the jungle gym at the halfway point.  Riding around in our way cool red minivan jamming to Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett and Weird Al.  Car trips to Michigan with coolers full of snacks and a new surprise toy for the long drive.  My mom did an amazing job planning all sorts of creative ways for our family to spend time together.  One Mother’s Day we asked her, “Mom, when is Kids’ Day?”  She laughed, “Kids Day is everyday.”  So true.  Yet Kids Day she planned.  I think we went on a bike ride.

Thanks, Mom!  I love you!
Mothers

This is my mom’s first Mother’s Day without her mother, pictured here between us.  We had a great dinner at a Thai restaurant and my Grandma June enjoyed every minute of it, even the food!

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Abby
Posts: 2
Comment
Re: Mother's Day
Reply #2 on : Tue May 13, 2008, 05:24:04
Oh, both of you are going to make me cry a little! I was so happy to see that picture of all three of you yesterday when I checked the blog. I know Grandma wasn't crazy about even being in town that night, but I'm sure she enjoyed herself, even though she wouldn't tell any of us! She just looks happy! Good point Janell, I'm sure Mardy is ecstatic to have Grandma with her this Mother's Day...something some people take for granted each year. Thanks to all you Moms! Michaela, hopefully we can be as good of Mothers someday as our Mothers are to us! Take care!
janell
Posts: 2
Comment
Re: Mother's Day
Reply #1 on : Mon May 12, 2008, 12:09:34
WOW, OK that brought a few tears!! A mother always wonders if what they do and the values they attempt to teach will be remembered. It is so nice to read that sometimes those years of loving and parenting children actually may have a good outcome. Of course we know as parents we never did everything right so we just hope that our children ONLY remember the good stuff! :)--and forgive us for the times we didn't have all the patience in the world. Moms come in all forms and as someone said to me yesterday, you LOVE them because they are your mom and what a gift they gave to us by just giving us birth. I too selfishly miss my mom on this first mother's day ever without her. On the unselfish side, my sister gets to spend her first mother's day in 12 years, with my mom and my mom gets to be with her mom again! I also miss my daughter, who is thousands of miles away, but in my mind, Mother's Day (and our birthday's)are coming up on May 23rd--the day we get to be together for 8 days in Thailand--not the day that 'Hallmark' decides is the day to celebrate. I am remembering the Mother's Day last year when we celebrated 5 days late so that we could all be together and go to the zoo and go out for our traditional fondue dinner. THAT was Mother's Day!! I treasure all the times we have spent together as a family and all the fun we have had. The real treasure is knowing all the kids can grow up, start their own lives, create their own traditions, hold dear the memories of growing up--but take with them the VALUE of being a family. Then a mom's Mission IS Accomplished!! I am a VERY lucky mom--thank you for making my day so special! You are the best daughter any mom could hope for--and more!! I am so proud of your committment to the women of Thailand and to follow your heart to do God's work.
I Love You!!