
I took a lot of branches from my mother's tree. Some of these branches I swore growing up I would never take with me. Things like licking my fingers then wiping away grit on my kid's faces. I promised I would never yell at them in front of other people. I promised I would not play favorites with my kids. Well at some time or another I have done all of these. Every one of them.
The branches I could not wait to prune were; building a strong team that sticks together no matter what. Always putting my kids first over outside forces especially work. Making sure the kids know that their dad is the head of the family unit. Telling my children every day of their lives that I love them (I did not hear this from my mom that often though she showed me). Demonstrating the right moral compass. Living with integrity. Telling the truth even if it hurts. Giving God all the credit.
I don't know what kind of branches my kids are selecting from my tree but I hope and pray I am growing a solid, deep-rooted tree where they can choose from a wide selection of good and not so good.
Motherhood is not grown perfectly but it is meant to live on in the hearts of our children forever. Happy Mother's Day and happy mothering.