Mothers Day Moments

I know this is too late to count. But we've been rather busy lately. In fact, I barely noticed it was Mothers Day, except for a few special reminders.

First, Ephraim's Mothers Day gift to me was that he let me have a great girls night on Saturday evening with two sweet friends. He made the main course, took the kids home, put them to bed, and didn't complain when I came home at 11:30 pm.

Then at 2 am I got a phone call I had been expecting from my friend Maima. "Melinda, can we go to the hospital now?" I said, "Are you sure you're ready?" She said the contractions were very regular and uncomfortable, but she'd wait a little longer. Ten minutes later she called again and I was out the door. In the car and later in the hospital, Maima took each contraction with such control and serenity I thought she had a long way to go. However, when the nurse checked her, she announced she was at 9 cm and they'd get the delivery room ready!

After about an hour in the hospital, she was pushing. And after 10 minutes of pushing, little John was born.

This was amazing for me for many reasons. First, I usually labor for 20+ hours in ugly agony holding on to life just to hear the nurse say "10 cm". Maima's serenity and fortitude through transition stage definitely inspired me.

Also, I enjoyed acting as a doula on Mothers Day--encouraging her, cheering for her, helping her stay focused and informed. I just did what I've seen my mom do for me. Maima told me what a service I had provided for her, but really the pleasure was mine. I couldn't help getting teary the moment he finally came out with tense limbs and strong cries...a perfect little boy.

I've been thinking about finding "nobility in motherhood" and what an immense task motherhood is. I believe mothers are a type, or example, of Christ given to each of His children. Maybe if we forget how much He loves us, we can be reminded by our mothers' deep, unselfish love for us.

So Happy Mothers Day to us all. Everyday.