Mothers, Fathers and Life Lessons

his month of July, 2009 we talk about Moms, Dads and Life Lessons.  All of us have a mother and father whether we have ever met them or not.  So, we sometimes or often think about our parents, who they are or might be.  Some of us have become mothers and fathers.  Maybe we have had a biological child, adopted, surrogacy, been a foster parent or even adopted a pet at an animal shelter.  Many of us have thought about what it means to be a good mother or, a good father whether as a child or a parent.

I have always wanted to be a mother.  I consider myself incredibly blessed to have two, healthy young sons.  I get to experience such joy in their childhood adventures.  Although I would never have guessed the level of sacrifice it takes to raise children, I consider it a great spiritual journey with so much abundant love in return.  My sons teach me life lessons everyday.  I hope that I am a good teacher for them as well. 

Whether a child, a mother, a father, or a role model –we learn things about life everyday.  A situation comes up, and how things are handled is either fair, or unfair.  And we learn.  Sometimes we learn by our mistakes, sometimes by observing and sometimes we just get lucky. Whatever method we learn or teach life’s lessons, every waking moment is valuable in that process.  One of my greatest role models is my brother Michael, and he always told me when I became a Mom, “Every moment is a teachable moment.”

This month our writers tell us all about their mothers, fathers, grandparents, children and life lessons.  One lesson is on the potential danger of hitchhiking from a woman living in Istanbul.  One lesson is on the terrible consequences of divorce and children.  There are memories of war by residents in Vermont, USA who felt the need to publish a book to tell the world their stories and the lessons they learned.  There is the lesson of the blessing of love.  And more, much more. 

Who did you think about this Mother’s Day, 2009?  And whom might you call on Father’s Day, 2009?  Are there memories and lessons you have learned from them?  This mother’s day, I received flowers, cards and artwork.  And each day I pray that I do what is right to deserve that love.  That I have learned enough of life’s lessons to be a good teacher.  And that I remain teachable everyday.