Mother’s Day
My husband and I have new favorite holidays. Our favorites previous to adopting three wounded children were the usuals….you know. Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter. Heck….we used to even enjoy our birthdays (wounded kids don’t like it when anyone besides them has a special day)! But, we have declared that, for us, our major holidays are now….MOTHER’S DAY and FATHER’S DAY!!
Yes, for us we now spend the major portion of the budget money for our gifts on these two holidays. And why, you may ask? First of all, those other holidays now have lost their luster. After so many once-enjoyable holidays completely sabotaged by angry children, you actually start to dread them. I hate the fact that I don’t like Christmas anymore. I love celebrating the birth of Jesus; however, the day itself, as well as the days prior tend to be, shall we say, less than desirable. So, my husband and I have determined that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are our new favorites. We also have made this determination because we feel as if we’ve certainly earned the titles of “mother” and “father” over the past years!! We work hard, and we have determined to celebrate our accomplishments during these times.
Last year around Mother’s Day, I had really gotten myself to a place of complete and utter burnout. I was homeschooling two of my hurt children. They had become so clingy that even a trip to the bathroom on my part sent them into utter panic. They tried to follow me around like ducklings. The other child, who was at that point a foster child and could not be homeschooled, was just beginning to heal but had given us a complete run for our money for the eight months prior. So, my amazing husband (have I mentioned how wonderful he is?!) gave me a trip to the day spa for Mother’s Day, where I enjoyed a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. It was amazing. And much needed.
For Father’s Day last year, we splurged on a camera that we’d been saving up for for a while. It actually ended up being a Father’s Day/Birthday present for him but it was a treat nonetheless. He has thoroughly enjoyed having this camera, and it now serves as a reminder of how much hard work he has put into fatherhood so far. (Of course, the first subjects of his photography were the very children who earned him that camera in the first place.)
Yes, we mothers of wounded children certainly deserve to be treated like royalty on this new most-important holiday. Kick back, enjoy, and treat yourself like a Queen. After all, you are the Queen of your household!
And for you fathers of wounded kids? Make sure you spoil your wife on Mother’s Day. She had definitely earned Queenship, just as you’ve earned the title of King, in your family. Treat her like the hard-working, heart-healing, amazing woman and mom that she is. Especially since you know that your wounded kids do not and will not appreciate all that she does for them. Maybe one day…..
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Romans 10:15
