teen substance abuse

Hope Leads the Way to Happiness on this Mother’s Day

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return. ~ Maya Angelou

This Sunday is Mother’s Day.

We remember our mothers who gave us life, raised us, and created the nest from which we flew.

We have all learned important life lessons from our moms.

I received this poem one Mother’s Day from my son and have loved it ever since. I wanted to share it with you.

Kites

by Erma Bombeck

I see children as kites.

You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. 

You run with them until you’re both breathless…they crash…

they hit the rooftop…you patch and comfort, adjust and teach.

You watch  them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they’ll fly. 

Finally they are airborne, they need more string and you keep letting it out. 

But with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with the joy.

The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won’t be long before that beautiful

creature will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as it is meant to soar, free and alone. 

Only then do you know that your job is done.

More than anything, we want to know that our children are soaring.

We want them to be happy, fulfilled and find success on their terms.

When our children who are suffering from addiction seek recovery and continue to do well, we celebrate. For those who are still in the midst of watching their children abuse alcohol and drugs, Mother’s Day can bring back the hopeless feelings, the feelings of grief and the question of where did I go wrong?

Hope is always there, lingering and available for all who seek it. Hope gives us the chance to see the possibilities, and to view them in the best light. It is like a hand reaching down that we can hold on to.

Let hope and happiness fill our life. Here’s to all of our mothers and all of us moms. Let us live our lives doing what brings us joy. Let our lives be filled with love, as we are not alone.

Happy Mother’s Day!

7 thoughts on “Hope Leads the Way to Happiness on this Mother’s Day”

  1. Hi Cathy,
    I love the poem and haven’t read it before. I’m not quite sure my job is ever finished as a mom. Now I’m needed to help with grandchildren which is such a joy and I continue to listen to their troubles.
    This will be the first Mother’s Day without my mom. I’m going to Santa Fe for the weekend to celebrate Hubs 60th birthday and visit with a daughter. Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day.

    1. Hi Tess,
      I do feel our jobs as mothers are never finished, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m sorry for the loss of your mother, and I’m sure your first Mother’s Day without her will be bittersweet. Enjoy Santa Fe! Just saw the Opera there last August, and it was spectacular. What an interesting town. Have a wonderful time and Happy Mother’s Day to you as well.

  2. I just recognized the picture that you posted on this site. How precious!
    It was a beautiful message to Moms on any day. Thanks.

  3. Beautiful Cathy! Erma Bombeck is such such a great writer for mother; her poems and quotes are funny yet poignant. But I’ve never seen this one. It’s good to have another poem to share with other mothers.
    Thanks for sharing!

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