Happy Mother’s Day

 

Today, I want to salute all of my sister moms who didn’t throw in the towel when they realized that motherhood wasn’t exactly what they thought and stayed. You see, I left. I could easily make all kinds of excuses for having left. I was young and stupid. I was unequipped for the task of raising three kids having been raised an only child. I let pride get in the way of forgiveness and restoration.

But the main reason I walked out on my kids in August of 1992 was that I was so very, very selfish. As a consequence of my own actions, I had very limited access to my kids for about 15 years and, in a lot of ways, it was a good thing. As much as I hate to admit how bad of an influence I would have been in their lives, I still hate just how very much I missed. There were recitals, proms, school plays and musicals, fundraisers, sporting events, and holidays that I missed and have absolutely no hope of getting the chance to go back and have those memories that I missed out of my own selfishness.

And my children would have every right, and I would completely understand it if they chose to turn me away as that woman they once knew but no more. But instead, they invite me just so lovingly into their lives and I can only thank God for this immeasurable gift of a second chance to become what I could have been all along … Mom. And now, every time my kids call, each time they send me a card extending love and wishes, each time they think of me and smile … I know with all of my heart that I am witnessing yet another miracle that I do not deserve.

Everyone, have an amazing Mother’s Day.

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There are 14 comments.

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  1. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Natalie: And now, every time my kids call, each time they send me a card extending love and wishes, each time they think of me and smile…I know with all of my heart that I am witnessing yet another miracle that I do not deserve. Everyone, have an amazing Mother’s Day.

    They’ve decided you do deserve it, so good for you!  Happy Mother’s Day!

    • #1
  2. Gossamer Cat Coolidge
    Gossamer Cat
    @GossamerCat

    I’m sure this was very hard for you to write-we can’t take back what was done.  All we can do is own it and try to make amends.  Looks like whoever raised them did a great job.  Happy Mother’s Day.

    • #2
  3. PHCheese Inactive
    PHCheese
    @PHCheese

    Someone special raised them.And that person raised some special children. Family is wonderful.

    • #3
  4. Mark Camp Member
    Mark Camp
    @MarkCamp

    What a beautiful testimony.  May God bless you.

    I know a girl who didn’t have kids.  She spent her childbearing years taking care of her ailing Mom.

    She married late in life, and inherited two boys.  She was an ever-loyal Mom to them. She was the Mom they didn’t quite have in their natural Mom, who got caught up in things of this world.

    To this day this beautiful woman doesn’t see herself as a proper Honoree of this special day.  But the Brown-Eyed-Beauty and I sure do!

     

    • #4
  5. Kevin Schulte Member
    Kevin Schulte
    @KevinSchulte

    So glad for you that they chose to Love.

    God bless you !

    • #5
  6. She Member
    She
    @She

    Second time today I’ve cried while reading a post.  Must be a lot of dust pollen inside my house today.

    Welcome to Ricochet, Natalie.  You’re among friends.  And I am so very, very glad to read about how your life has turned out.

    • #6
  7. Natalie Inactive
    Natalie
    @NatalieLa Fond

    Mark Camp (View Comment):

    What a beautiful testimony. May God bless you.

    I know a girl who didn’t have kids. She spent her childbearing years taking care of her ailing Mom.

    She married late in life, and inherited two boys. She was an ever-loyal Mom to them. She was the Mom they didn’t quite have in their natural Mom, who got caught up in things of this world.

    To this day this beautiful woman doesn’t see herself as a proper Honoree of this special day. But the Brown-Eyed-Beauty and I sure do!

     

    Thank you.  I am unbelievably blessed beyond measure.

    • #7
  8. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Mark Camp (View Comment):
    She married late in life, and inherited two boys. She was an ever-loyal Mom to them. She was the Mom they didn’t quite have in their natural Mom, who got caught up in things of this world.

    I worked with a lady just like that.  Her husband had two boys from a previous marriage, and I knew her for years before I found out they weren’t hers.

    I take it back.  They were hers, they just didn’t have her DNA – but they did have her upbringing, which IMHO was a helluva lot better . . .

    • #8
  9. Charlotte Member
    Charlotte
    @Charlotte

    Now those are some gorgeous kids. Wow. Congratulations and good for you. I’m glad you all were able to set things right.

    • #9
  10. iWe Coolidge
    iWe
    @iWe

    Wow. Just. Wow.

    • #10
  11. Southern Pessimist Member
    Southern Pessimist
    @SouthernPessimist

    “I can only thank God for this immeasurable gift of a second chance to become what I could have been all along”

    Yep.

    • #11
  12. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    A beautiful ending to what is a too-common sad story. You have experienced a heaping helping of grace, which is so rare this side of heaven. Thanks be to God.

    • #12
  13. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    This stopped me in my tracks.  Natalie, the first step is to acknowledge one’s sins, the second to ask for forgiveness, and the third to attempt to make retribution.  It seems like you’ve done all three.  Now it’s time to look forward, move on from the past, and live in the best way possible.  Then you will deserve those moments of their love.  Thank you for sharing.

    • #13
  14. ShaunaHunt Inactive
    ShaunaHunt
    @ShaunaHunt

    Thank you and God bless you!

    • #14
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