A reflection for Mother’s Day

Providence Associates co-director Debbie Dillow shared this reflection with Providence Associates and Sisters so we wanted to share this Mother’s Day reflection with all of you.

Happy Mother’s Day! As I sat reflecting on Mother’s Day many things came to mind. I remember back as a little girl making Mother’s Day cards in school that I would take home to give to my mom on Mother’s Day. We would go to church in the morning and return home for a Mother’s Day dinner with my parents and grandparents. I proudly presented my handmade card to my mom; a card made with love and given with love.

Fast-forward a few years to the birth of my children. I can remember when the doctor placed my child in my arms after their birth. I was full of joy and tears ran down my face as I looked into the face of a beautiful gift from God – my son and a few years later, my daughter. The memories of Mother’s Days flood back into my mind as I remember their beautiful handmade Mother’s Day cards, proudly given during Sunday dinner. Cards made with love and given with love. They are still in a folder I made for each child; folders full of handmade cards and pictures created with love as they grew to be wonderful, loving adults.

Today, they now receive handmade cards from their children. Cards made with love and given with love during their Mother’s Day dinners. The tradition has been carried forward from one generation to another. I pray that there are traditions passed along in your families as you celebrate Mother’s Day.

Traditions are ways for us to pass along the memories from one generation to another. Celebrating that piece of our lives that brings memories of family, love, and giving. As mothers, we give of ourselves to our children, selflessly, untiringly so that they may become beautiful women and men who know how to love and give love to others they meet. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s quote, “Love the children first, then teach them,” is a quote that is relevant today, Mother’s Day. We love our children first and then we teach them to be loving, caring children.

May your Mother’s Day be filled with handmade cards, loving, caring children, and beautiful memories and traditions. Sister Sue Paweski and I wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day!