On Mother's Day I was invited to speak at the Grotto. Below are my thoughts on Mother's Day. Smack in the middle of my Grotto Speech is the speech I gave at the American Mother's National Convention. Coming soon: More about some Amazing Oregon Moms!
Mother's Day at the Grotto – Shelly Brady
Forty-seven years ago, my mother celebrated Mother's Day for the first time. Twenty-four years ago, I enjoyed my first Mother's Day. Our 2nd oldest daughter, Katrina celebrated her first last year with her then 5 month old child (Henry is 17 months old today), and for our oldest daughter, Michelle, today is her first Mother's Day as a mother.
My own mother, divorced from an abusive marriage, shared with me, years ago, how Mother's Day always made her feel sad. She left church services feeling guilty and depressed because she felt she wasn't as wonderful as the women described over the pulpit. I felt bad for her. She is a terrific mother who sacrificed for us children, and went out of her way to love and mother others as she took in foster children and went on to adopt three orphans.
While I can certainly understand how easy it is to get caught up in feeling like I am not as good as the next mom, I have determined to enjoy Mother's Day and it's perks. I figured I have all year to feel guilty . . . so I may as well enjoy my breakfast in bed and precious handmade gifts!
Our daughter Katrina, on the other hand, has spent her entire life wanting to grow up and be a mother. I am certain she looks at every day she spends with little Henry (and another on the way) as Mother's Day.
As for Michelle, our oldest, the fact that she and 8 month old Jenna are even able to share this precious day is a tender blessing to our family. Last September 14th, ten weeks earlier than her late November due date, Michelle gave birth to Jenna due to complications from preeclampsia. Jenna weighed only 2 pounds 1 ounce.
I will never forget the moment I received the text from Michelle's husband, our son-in-law, Drew on that Monday morning, “We are at the hospital, Michelle is hemorrhaging, they are taking the baby, please pray for us.” I dropped to my knees sobbing a prayer for the baby to please make it; for Michelle: comfort and peace in case the baby did not; strength for Drew to get through this ordeal with our daughter, his bride, and our granddaughter, his first child; and deeper faith for me to accept God's will no matter the outcome.
The next two few days were frightening as baby Jenna fought for her life and our daughter Michelle's condition deteriorated. As Michelle's blood would not clot and her organs began shutting down, she required a second life saving surgery. Thanks to technology, such as emails, and facebook, friends and family were notified and hundreds of prayers were poured out on behalf of Michelle and Jenna. I am happy – no thrilled – to tell you that our prayers were answered. After 9 weeks in the NICU, Jenna was fianally able to leave the hospital and go home to her mother's waiting arms.
My mother's day gifts and blessings include my faithful husband of 26 years, our 6 beautiful children, 2 terrific sons-in-law, and 2 amazing grandchildren. I was also blessed yesterday as I caught a flight to Portland with an extra long layover in SLC, where I spent 4 hours with my now healthy daughter Michelle and 8 month old granddaughter Jenna who today weighs a whole 11 pounds!
Of course, I feel blessed to be able to share this day with you and this blessing and privilege comes as I have just returned from NYC where Mother's from all over the country were honored and motherhood was celebrated.
It was the 75thdiamond anniversary of AMI – and the theme was Mother's are Forever - I would like to share with you my brief “convention speech” - The Facets of Motherhood:
Every time I have the opportunity to attend an American Mothers event (or church, or school function) I find myself surrounded by amazing women – true gems - who have accomplished much in their homes and communities and I admit I have found myself feeling a bit like a diamond in the rough. My mind wanders back to times when I have forgotten to pick up my four year old from swimming lessons, accidentally dried the kitty in the dryer, or dragged my ill 11 year old all over town while unbeknown to me her appendix was actually bursting! I have even joked with friends on those occasions that they could go ahead and nominate me for Mother of the Year!
Imagine my surprise when I learned of my nomination! Never in a million years would I have dreamed that I would actually be standing before you as the Oregon Mother of the year, though I will to refer to myself as the “Oregon Spokesmom of the year!” A spokesmom because I get to be a voice for all the moms who have had moments when we have felt we just aren't good enough!
Well, I have a secret to share! No one is! No one is perfect that is. Like the beautiful diamonds mothers are, we all have flaws. But just like the flawed diamond ring placed on my finger some 26 years ago that is absolutely perfect for me, so are we mothers, rough spots and all, perfect for our families.
I recently read that one of the most common diamond cuts is the round brilliant cut which has 58 total facets. These facets make the diamond have extraordinary beauty, brilliance, and fire.
The facets of motherhood are innumerable. They include a mother's ability to love, sacrifice for, and influence her children. Facets adding brilliance and beauty are glimpses of a faithful mother treating her children as beloved, unique individuals as she teaches them we are all children of God; a mother shines when she nurtures her children by lovingly teaching them rules and consequences. She sparkles when she is patient, kind, and compassionate; she glitters when she sings a lullaby or kisses a bruised knee; and she is on fire when she stands up for what she believes in or when she protects her little ones from harm.
Proverbs 31:10 reads “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” I believe it is safe to say a virtuous mother's price is far above diamonds.
Mothers, like diamonds, come in all shapes and sizes. There is no perfect mother, some of us are mildly flawed, others a little rough, and a few may have even started out motherhood as a lump of coal. The beauty of American Mothers is that it reaches out to all to teach, support, and honor women who are mothers! This organization offers the polishing necessary to help us shine in the most important job on earth, being a mother! Because we all know mothers, like diamonds, are forever!
As I began today, I shared with you the stories of four mothers: my mom, myself, and my two daughters. There is another mother my thoughts are drawn to today. She is the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior.
I can only begin to imagine how she might have felt on her first Mother's day (had there been such a day) over 2000 years ago holding her precious Son, the Son of God in her arms, rocking Him, loving Him, sacrificing for Him, as we mothers sacrifice for our own children every day. I am so grateful for the Ultimate Sacrifice, as it reads in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” His Sacrifice gives purpose to my life and makes everything I am, including being a mother, worth it.
I leave this with you in His Holy name, Amen
