Today’s Malachi’s 16th birthday. Mum, Lisa, took him to swim in the sea early this morning.
Yesterday was Mothering Sunday. Cards, flowers and chocolates were given on a day of affection and celebration.
We’ve recently thought of ‘royal’ mothers – Queen Elizabeth, Lady Diana, Kate, Meghan – their joys, sorrows, complex relationships…
We’ve remembered mothers during lockdown – the isolation of new mothers, stressful home schooling, increased domestic chores, domestic abuse, holding down a job…
Mothering Sunday reminds us of…
…our roots. Mothering Sunday began in the 16th Century. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, people would return to their ‘mother church’ where they were christened, for a special service.
We remember our mothers, the key influences on our lives that make us who we are.
…mutual dependence. We’re expected to be independent and self-sufficient…
We depended on our mothers to change nappies, clear up sick, teach us to walk and talk, care for us when we couldn’t care for ourselves. We remember that we all need to care for others and be cared for by others.
…mutual respect. Through the Sarah Everard murder this week we’ve remembered harassed, assaulted and abused mothers. We continue to remember mothers, victims of poverty, prostitution and pornography…
We remember and respect mothers who daily give motherhood their best efforts, carrying out duties and responsibilities with sustained determination and courage.
…a picture of God. Musing on old verses… ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget I will not forget you…’ ‘As a mother comforts her child so I will comfort you…’
…selfless love. Motherhood is about the selfless love behind the cooking, cleaning, washing…
We remember mothers who give themselves to the care of their children, giving time, money and compassion regardless of the cost to themselves… and take their children for a swim on a cold, bright Spring morning.
malcolmsmusings.org 