“To the mom who feels like you are failing. Don’t doubt yourself. Right now, it feels hard, but each day you still show up, even through the exhaustion. You pour your life into your children, even though your cup feels empty. You do the best you can, even when you think you can’t. And that dear mama is not failing. You are amazing. – Proud Happy Mama

Mother’s Day is a day where a lot of us moms contemplate whether we can have done a “good enough” job. It can be a tough day instead of the day it was meant for, a celebration for a job well done. I think we, as mothers, wonder whether we could have done better. We tend to blame ourselves and take on the burden of our children.

Our love is not based on if our children are perfect. Our love is an unconditional love that cannot be undone.

I, myself, have made a ton of mistakes regarding the raising of my children. One thing I will not do is blame my mother for the way she raised me. I believe that she did the best from how she grew up. It took a long time for me to have this revelation. It takes stepping back and realizing that the cycle of generational upbringing can change. It takes wisdom to know what is good and what is not. I love my mom for all she did for my brother and myself. She sacrificed a lot to bring us the best of what was needed. She worked countless hours to support Dad in the providing for the family. Was she perfect? No, but she loved us unconditionally.

I think back to when our boys were young children. There are times when I’m sorry I didn’t look to the future. I would have enjoyed motherhood more. I would have prayed more. I would have played more. I would have worried less. I would have been less selfish. I would have laughed more. Through all the “I would haves”, I did the best I could at that time with what I knew.

Now as they are adults, being a mom has changed. I could worry more. I could be that helicopter mom. (Maybe the boys say I am!) The older children become the bigger the worries. They are now old enough to talk to about my failures and to ask for forgiveness. I won’t make excuses. Only own my mistakes, forgive myself and be the best mom possible. I pray for them and the rest of the family each day, sometimes a few times a day. A mother’s love and prayers have far reaching effects. One of my greatest wishes as a mom is to create a safe place for our children to rest, to be able to talk, laugh and eat. Yes, eat! I love cooking all their favorites. That gives me great joy!

Every day I sit quietly at my kitchen table. I enjoy my God time. It’s then I think and pray for my children and grandchildren. There are times of tears, smiles and concerns. I am so proud of my children. I am so blessed as a mom. After we lost our daughter shortly after birth, I had a tremendous amount of love to give. Now I know why. I am so grateful for our two strong men, who they have become and still becoming. They both married beautiful women who I love dearly.

To all you beautiful mommas, those that have lost children, that have given up children, children that have strayed, that have little ones running around your feet…. keep your head up and know that you are doing the best with what you know! What you do know is love. Failure doesn’t happen unless you give up. Giving up is not an option. Keep filling your cup and know where your strength comes from!

Happy Mother’s Day!