Misc, personal, teenage son
Comments 16

Gift from teenage son…

I heard ‘Almost17’ in the shower at 6am (we had to leave for the airport at 7); he soon came into my room fully dressed, with still-damp hair, where I lay in bed reading before getting up.

Him: Move over Mum.

Me: [Really??] OK Sweetie. [Sliding over, slightly stunned, but pretending I’m cool…]

Him: Happy Mother’s Day.

Me: Thanks. You know I think it’s a load of Hallmark crap don’t you, but that’s still lovely, thank you. Are you bringing me peppermint tea in bed?

Him: No, I’m too tired. I didn’t get home from the party till 1am. *Rolls on his side away from me*. Spoon me Mum.

Me: [REALLY??]Β OK Sweetie. [Spooning behind him, completely stunned, gingerly resting my arm on top of him and the quilt because, you know, I’m Cool…]

Him: No, properly Mum, under the covers. Please let me sleep for another 15 minutes.

Me: Sure honey…

spoon

*Lie there holding my baby boy as he begins to twitch and dream, breathing deeply. For how many nights did I hold him until teenage-hood? How many times did I soothe him when he was sick or fretting? How rarely does it happen any more…?

I know none of these answers right now. All I know now is the utter peace of lying here, being ‘Mum’, and providing a safe haven for my child, however briefly, just like in the old days:

gg&A2001

2001

I want to stop Time.

Wishing every Mama out there a meaningful connection with her child or children, even if just for a moment. Also honouring each woman who chooses not to birth or parent, or who can’t, or won’t. Also acknowledging those of us who suffered postnatal depression or other challenges, and women who have survived terrible mother experiences or childhoods. There are endless complex stories, held by multitudes, and the simplistic myth of ‘maternal instinct’ can be deceptive.

But let’s remember and agree that we are ALL mothered and nurtured by our planet Earth, who deserves as much love, respect, and care as we can give her, today and every day.

earth

Image from NASAΒ 

16 Comments

  1. What an utterly precious piece of writing…. All the way from your very soul… Thank you so much for sharing… I’m so moved by this… Having a little tear πŸ˜˜βœ¨πŸ™βœ¨

    Liked by 1 person

    • Aw bless you! Thanks for letting it in to your soul… and for commenting 😊 He’s not always quite so lovable: search for Eating with teenage son or Driving with teenage son!!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. itsacrazycatladything says

    Mother Earth definitely needs our love, we have taken her for granted for far too long…..big sigh!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. The photo melted my heart. So sweet!

    My 13 year old son asked to snuggle out-of-the-blue the other night. I immediately dropped what I was doing so that we could enjoy the rare snuggle time. It had been weeks, maybe months, since he’d last asked.

    Just a couple days ago I started crying while thinking about how my kids are soon going to be moving out and I will no longer see them so often. I can barely handle the thought. I know the point of motherhood is to successfully prepare them for adulthood, but it still hurts knowing that they’re going to go their own ways soon. ❀

    Liked by 2 people

    • Yes! Absolutely: motherhood is such a bittersweet gift. I’m SO glad you stopped to snuggle, well done. I found 13 & 14 really hard in terms of getting ‘rejected’, & all boundaries pushed, but he’s def started coming back around in 16 & nearly 17… πŸ™πŸΌ There’s nothing like our baby boys πŸ’ž

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