By Susan Govern
Before I was even born, Harriet Nelson (of Ozzie and Harriet fame) was on T.V. basically doing what came naturally – being a mom. Other “moms” became well known living out their lives in a variety of situations on T.V. Some that come to mind are Carol Brady (mom to a blended family), Shirley Partridge (mom to a musical family), Fran Sinclair (a Dinosaur herself and mom to dinosaurs in a short-lived series – remember the line “Not the mama”?), Kate Tanner (mom in a household where the alien ALF resides while on Earth), and Roseanne Conner (mom of a family who struggles and wise-cracks their way through life).
These are just a few who have come into our living rooms since the time of radio shows and those early Golden Years of Television. For generations these moms, and too many others for me to list here, shared with us laughter and tears; not unlike moms in the “real” world.
“Real” moms have had these “T.V.” moms to compete with, and maybe even learn from, but no mom on this side of the television screen (with perhaps the exception of those wealthy enough to hire help) ever had the back-up those make-believe moms had.
Being a mom is tough work. Whether you have one child or four or six or more…you are a mom 24-7 and it can be exhausting. Even if you have a spouse, when it comes to the everyday challenges of raising a child, most of it falls to mom.
Who usually wakes up and stays up with a sick child – mom. Who usually is the one a child runs to when they are hurt (in any way) – mom. Who is the one doing a lot of the grunge work involved in child-rearing – mom. And who is the one who when they have to discipline their child they are the target of “I hate you” – mom. Ah yes, it’s work to be a mom.
But the rewards of being a mom can also be better than getting an Oscar or a Pulitzer Prize. The first time you hear your baby say “mama” can be better than winning the lottery. When your child brings you a card or gift they “made all by myself” – priceless. Those moments when you get a spontaneous hug or kiss just because you’re their mom – your heart can feel like bursting.
Yep – it’s a lot of work raising a baby to an adult, but the rewards are memories of priceless times, and of course the eventual grandchildren.
I’m sure “working moms” and “stay at home moms” would all agree that “MOM” is the best job title to have. I know it’s the title I have always aspired to and was lucky enough to gain it twice in my life, first at the birth of my son, then my daughter.
I have also been blessed to have had a woman in my life who was more brave than I think she realized, who was kind and generous, and who could at times have a wicked sense of humor and who I called mom.
My mom is no longer alive, but she is still with me. Whenever I hear my words to my own children and realize they were her words once – I know she’s around. As I cook some meals that she often made – I feel she’s watching over me. When I’m at a loss for words to help one of my kids – I seem to hear her say “Have Faith and pray about it.”
Mom may no longer be with me physically, but in perhaps a more important way she has never left me.
Another woman in my life that sets a fine example of being a loving mom is my mother-in-law. She’s had the patience to raise six children and from her I have over the years learned how to remain calm in the midst of some of life’s storms. I see in her, just as I did in my own mom, a deep Faith and admire her for it. Her love for family and friends is a generous love, and I’m glad I’ve been included in it.
To think of “mom” as only being a role for a woman would be unfair to the many single dads who must take on two roles. Their struggle to do the right thing and walk with their children through life is also real work, and I would hope that the rewards are just as great for them as for any woman who is a mom.
So now with Mother’s Day being celebrated this month, I look forward to the usual cards and small gifts or the dinner out with my family. I cherish hearing my children say “Love ya, ma.” The time spent with them on Mother’s Day is always something to look forward to, but if the truth be told, I have felt every day is Mother’s Day from the moment I held each one in my arms seconds after they were born. Being a mom – it’s a blessing every day for me because I know of many who long to be called “mom” and for one reason or another have not been so blessed. If you’re a mom then cherish the joy. If you know a mom – then show her some love.
