Simple Sundays | On Motherhood

Driving to gymnastics. Ironing that t-ball uniform. Picking up from drama practice. Organizing camping gear for Girl Scouts. Packing lunches at 11 pm. Finding that leotard. Checking that homework. Reminding them: it’s time to go. It’s time to go. Did you hear me? Go! Go!…

Simple Sundays | On Motherhood

Driving to gymnastics. Ironing that t-ball uniform. Picking up from drama practice. Organizing camping gear for Girl Scouts. Packing lunches at 11 pm. Finding that leotard. Checking that homework. Reminding them: it’s time to go. It’s time to go. Did you hear me? Go! Go! Go!

I found myself taking a breather the other day. Sitting in a chair…a novelty. And I remembered when things were simpler. I remembered when they were babies. Things seemed so hard back then, but now I look back and recall those moments fondly. We still followed their schedule, yes, but rather than always being on the go, rushing from school to activities to events, it was more about feeding and playing and napping. Feeding every two hours, gazing into their eyes, watching them grip your pinky. It was nature’s way to force you to stop. To bond. To appreciate.

Because truth be told, when you are rushing hither and yon, you just can’t appreciate the people around you. You lose sight of what that relationship between mother and child is about. Quite honestly, for me, it has been a lot like this video lately:

Anita Renfroe | William Tell Momisms

Funny (and true) as that is (I do joke that it is my daily anthem), is that how I want to be remembered?

No, it is not.

When I look back at my own memories of my mother, I do recall those moments of sacrifice, how she folded laundry late at night, how she fell asleep in church because she was exhausted from the day to day things. I do remember how she would pick me up from rehearsals, even if it was late at night. But what I remember more was that she always had a sweet disposition. She never once complained. She still managed to make us laugh, to learn a new dance with us, to make time for special moments. Last Mother’s Day, I told you all about her. And this Mother’s Day, I resolve to be more like her.

How will my children remember me? Time will tell. But I do know that I don’t want them to remember me so much for the “Momisms” than for being what a mother should be. Someone who takes the time to truly listen. To look into their eyes. To be compassionate. To take the time.

Because of this space, they will surely remember me and the food we shared. I hope that they look fondly back one day at Kitchen Confidante and the recipes that I strive to capture, for them. I know I do the same for my own mother. She influences me still, and I reminisce whenever I make her dishes or her favorite foods. So, on this Mother’s Day, I thought I would recall some of the foods that I have already shared with you – the ones that remind me of mom. I hope when you make them, you feel the love that is passed on, one generation at a time.

Happy Mother’s Day.

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  1. Carolyn

    Very sweet post, Liren. It’s true, I swear I say the “it’s time to go!” bit all the time these days!

    Reply
  2. Courtney

    Beautiful post! Hope you had a very happy Mother’s Day. I’m sure your children will have fond memories of you, just like you have with your mother.

    I wrote a bit about Mother’s Day as well – and featured something my grandma had passed down to me about mothers, kind of cool :)

    Love your site!

    Reply
  3. Jun Belen

    Happy Mothers’ Day, Liren. Lovely memories of your lovely mom and, now, you’re creating memories for your children to cherish when they get older.

    Reply
  4. foodwanderings

    What a beautiful post. My favorite line was ‘And this Mother’s Day, I resolve to be more like her.’ Happy Mother’d day Liren!!

    Reply
  5. Jean

    Liren, just in the short time I’ve known you I could see that you are a quality person and somehow I can tell that you’re even better as a mother. Keep doing what you’re doing– your mother would be proud and your children will be singing your praises well into adulthood. :-)

    PS: when you said, “it’s time to go…go, go, go!” That’s such a Dana line it made me smile. :-)

    Happy Mother’s Day!

    Reply
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