The art of giving is a Mother's gift to the world.
Her part of that world knows this best.
Her parent-partner husband was the first to witness and receive of her gift.
He knows from watching as his parent-partner wife gives birth to their unborn child then sees her in weary fatigue deliver the warm gift of a smile for their newborn who can feel but doesn't yet see the Mother's smile.
A growing child knows well of his Mother's giving, having seen and felt her gifts of love, patience and tears.
Having felt her embrace, known her defiant protection against any threat and seen her discouragement.
The art of caring is inherent to a Mother.
Premier among her gifts, clearly visible through anger, disappointment and poor child choices, the child knows because caring is a feeling.
The art of family is nowhere more devoted than life in a Mother's hands.
Through chores, school and activities by the hundreds, family holds firm the foundation and caps the day of kids, husband and life.
The art of worry gives each mom a warning "start" more times than she'd like to remember.
Never far from her conscious thought each child's welfare snaps into a Mother's early warning system at the "drop of a hat".
The art of sanctuary is held by Mothers in partnership with dad.
He provides.
She builds.
We all take refuge.
Sometimes vicariously or from a distance, so strong are those bonds.
Sometimes the need passes just by knowing my sanctuary is there in her hands.
The almost-adult teenagers know but often can't acknowledge the gift of living with Mother.
They know pushing the limits while necessary, exhilarating and frightening, is only feasible because moms know the art of development is really the experience of survival which can only be practiced on the slippery edge of her protective care.
Adult children may have temporarily forgotten but quickly remember the value of Mother's sanctuary.
Finally the art of selfless love offered freely by women we look to as Mother is only exceeded by the love of God from whom Mother's draw for renewal of their reservoirs.
Her part of that world knows this best.
Her parent-partner husband was the first to witness and receive of her gift.
He knows from watching as his parent-partner wife gives birth to their unborn child then sees her in weary fatigue deliver the warm gift of a smile for their newborn who can feel but doesn't yet see the Mother's smile.
A growing child knows well of his Mother's giving, having seen and felt her gifts of love, patience and tears.
Having felt her embrace, known her defiant protection against any threat and seen her discouragement.
The art of caring is inherent to a Mother.
Premier among her gifts, clearly visible through anger, disappointment and poor child choices, the child knows because caring is a feeling.
The art of family is nowhere more devoted than life in a Mother's hands.
Through chores, school and activities by the hundreds, family holds firm the foundation and caps the day of kids, husband and life.
The art of worry gives each mom a warning "start" more times than she'd like to remember.
Never far from her conscious thought each child's welfare snaps into a Mother's early warning system at the "drop of a hat".
The art of sanctuary is held by Mothers in partnership with dad.
He provides.
She builds.
We all take refuge.
Sometimes vicariously or from a distance, so strong are those bonds.
Sometimes the need passes just by knowing my sanctuary is there in her hands.
The almost-adult teenagers know but often can't acknowledge the gift of living with Mother.
They know pushing the limits while necessary, exhilarating and frightening, is only feasible because moms know the art of development is really the experience of survival which can only be practiced on the slippery edge of her protective care.
Adult children may have temporarily forgotten but quickly remember the value of Mother's sanctuary.
Finally the art of selfless love offered freely by women we look to as Mother is only exceeded by the love of God from whom Mother's draw for renewal of their reservoirs.