Continuation of “what I love”: Being a Mother (and a Grand and a Great)

As a child, I played with dolls constantly.  Feeding, changing clothes, “ironing clothes”, rocking, loving and singing to them.  One Christmas I received a “walking doll”.  She was much bigger than my “baby dolls”, so I wanted her to play with me on my swing-set. Sadly, she lost her head during a gymnastics routine. 

 I felt such joy doing those things.  As I grew, so did my love for babies and children. A boyfriend one time said, “If you see a crowd of children and dogs, you know that Pat is in the middle.”  Quite an observation for a 15-year-old boy. 

All the thoughts of “what I wanted to be when I grew up” traveled through my mind and there were some thoughts that appealed to me. However, I did marry young and had my first son when I was 20, and it never entered my thoughts that it was not right for me or that I was too young.  The transition to motherhood was easy and natural to me. And, my “inner teacher” was always in the forefront in my mothering.

Life does happen and being a mother kept me moving forward and not giving up.  It taught me a strength I did know existed inside me.

I remember so many “teaching moments” with my boys.  I see the results today as they are in the midst their own children and grandchildren.  I do love that! 

To say I love my grandchildren is sometimes not adequate.  I felt a need to do more for them because I had more wisdom and experience to give.  They may not have realized it at the time, but nearly every moment with them was an opportunity to teach them.  And, of course, even more so with Corbin.  I retired early to care for him to help his parents out.  We ended up teaching each other about life and living.  I also “see” the lessons I gave have stuck with my grandchildren.

Now, with my great grandchildren, I almost melt like butter when I am around them.  But, I’ve come to a point in my life that to watch their parents and grandparents loving, giving and teaching is like a pinnacle I have reached.  I have never known such joy!

I guess I’ve gone back to my childhood joy.  As I enter my son’s house, I am surrounded and covered with children, grandchildren and great grand children and grand dogs and great grand dogs.  And, Pat is in the middle.  That is what I love.

To my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

I Am Your Teacher

I’ve never taught math.

I do not teach proper English.

My lessons are simple.

I teach unconditional love.

I teach understanding.

I teach compassion.

I teach forgiveness.

I teach Life.