One of my favorite days (right after my birthday, of course!) is rapidly approaching: Mother's Day. I am the master of milking these special days for all they're worth, cramming as much sleep, lolling about and my favorite foods in them as possible. Unlike my birthday, though, Mother's Day is not all about me (cue Mike rolling his eyes and saying whatever). No, I take the opportunity during my sloth-like day of glory to think about the other mothers in my life and how much they mean to me.
One mother that particularly brings light and joy to my life is my sister, Ana. As some of you may know, there is a large age gap between myself and my siblings. My brother was 11 and my sisters were teenagers when I was born. Ana married when I was 6 and began having a family of her own shortly after. I was the only kid in third grade that also happened to be somebody's aunt. Ana had 3 children under the age of 6 when her marriage ended. As an adolescent I had no way of knowing the struggles she endured as a single, working mother. Now, a mother myself, I look back in admiration. I might have been wrapped up in my own teenage dramas, but I still have lots of memories of my sister having fun with her kids despite their difficult circumstances. Her home, though loud and crazy, was a place of joy. My niece and nephews, adults now, tell their own stories of growing up and they are always filled with laughter.
She's a nana now to two lively little girls and I just adore watching her with them. I saw a decorative wooden sign in a catalog the other day that said "Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children" and I couldn't help but laugh and think of Ana. My patience is tested daily with my two, and my situation is a walk in the park compared to what it was like for Ana. I'm sure she had her days, but I think it speaks volumes of her mothering that what her children remember most is the fun and closeness they shared.
My sister showed me that no matter what your circumstances, your children are your most precious gift. She taught me to focus on the light they bring into your life rather than the dark things that lurk in our corners.
As a special Mother's Day thank you, Root Candles has generously offered to give away a special prize pack to one reader. This prize pack includes a large Veriglass candle, a Reed Diffuser, and a Scented Tassel in Alabaster. The winner will get to choose from one of three fragrances: Sun Dried Cotton, English Lavender or Ginger Patchouli.
I have the Reed Diffuser similar to the one below in the Sun Dried Cotton fragrance and I love it. It's so different and pretty and I love that my downstairs now smells like something other than macaroni and cheese.
Is there a mom in your life that's brightened your world, and made you a better mother? I'd love to hear about her! Leave a comment and share your story for a chance to win the Root Candles Scent Collection.
If you really, really want to win, here are some extra ways to enter in addition to leaving a comment:
1. Become a fan of Root Candles on Facebook, and leave a comment on their page. Let me know that you did so here in the comments section.
2. Tweet about this contest using the #rootcandles tag (you can tweet daily, just make sure to post a link to your tweet in the comments section below)
3. Blog about why you want to win the Moms Light Up Our Lives contest with a link back to this post as well as a link to the Root candles homepage (http://www.rootcandles.com/). Include a link to your blog post in the comments section below.
Deadline for entries is midnight PST on Monday, April 26th, so you can have your prize in time for Mother's Day! I'll notify the winner by e-mail. Thanks and good luck!
Disclosure: Root Candles and the Clever Girls Collective provided me with a review sample of the Root Candles Scent Collection prize pack. I was also compensated for my time to manage the contest with a Visa gift card. The sentiments expressed in this post are mine, all mine, though.
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=517437585 says
Nana Ana is nost only an amazing mama and grandmommy, but she is an AMAZING 2nd mommy to me ๐ i Love my Whiteman’s!!
Kelly says
There is not just one mom, but an awesome group of 6 moms that have totally brightened my world- my playgroup peeps. When my first baby was born and I was an exhausted, stressed-out mess struggling to figure out what the heck I was doing and how to maintain my sanity as a stay-at-home mom, going to playgroup and talking to those 6 other moms about anything and everything was the highlight of my week. Being around those moms with their different ideas and philosophies helped me realise there isn’t one right way to raise a kid, and knowing that has helped me relax and that has made me a better mother.
Lesley says
What an amazing big Sis! Got to brag about my mom who could care less about Mother’s Day. Maybe that’s where I get it from because I could care less as well. Those root candles are super cool though.
I am so grateful for my mom for being a mom first and friend second when I was growing up. I had enough friends. Now that I’m a mom myself I realize teaching my children to be responsible and well mannered will benefit them more than just trying to be their best friend.
MaryBeth I says
My MIL has helped me learn to cook – as great as my mom is, cooking is not her thing ๐
MaryBeth I says
fb fan of root candles
Danielle says
Wow Angie, what an amazing post about my mom!! You really hit the nail on the head about how amazing she is and the effect of how her parenting has blessed my brothers and I. It is neat though to hear it from another perspective. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t notice all of the things that she was doing either. But she is the mom that I would also choose to speak about here!
I do believe that my mom was born to be a Nana! She makes sure that my girls know that she loves them and is thinking about them everyday even though she is 2 hours away. Although they do love taking their trips to Wal-Mart with Nana, they just love getting her phone calls and a letter in the mailbox just as much. My mom is a blessing to anyone who knows her: friend, family, child, grandchild.. I feel so blessed to have such an example set before me about unconditional love and selflessness. I adore my mother and she is also my best friend. I am so glad Ang that you brought her up and gave her some spotlight. She sure deserves it! Thank you! I love you too!
Suburban Sweetheart says
My mom raised me by herself after my dad died of cancer when I was 10. She somehow managed to be both mom & dad – and well! – to raise a pretty good kid, if I may say so myself. She doesn’t make much money, but she helps me when she can, & she’s taught me that happiness always trumps financial success.
Aunt Suzy says
Does Nana Ana even know you all are such fans?! If she does, she is quietly revelling in your comments. Never one to toot her horn or boast to the world. Love my M.A.R.T.Y!
Nana Ana says
WOW! I just read this post and it was hard to finish reading because of the tears. I’m am a little embarrassed but hugely honored. And I made my little seestah’s blog…yeah! I will say my role model was my mother. She has and always will put her family first. Thank you, Ang, for a moment of happy tears!
Lisa Abramson says
The best lesson that I learned about motherhood came from my friend, Tina. She taught me to parent the children that I have not the children that I thought i would have before I had children at all.
lesley says
I became a FB fan… ๐
Jane Rich says
Angie, just had to write and say what a beautiful and deserving tribute to one of my favorite moms…Ana. You captured her essence in a moving and honest way, and were right on in your thoughts. Ana’s endless energy and devotion to her children and grandchildren are defining qualities, and she’s done an awesome job! Ana has shown a strength and determination to provide the right gifts in life to her children and others who have been lucky to have her in their life – joy, laughter, love, respect, and support in good times and bad – without allowing her own judgments to influence their choices and decisions. Bravo! My only fear, now though, is that she will have to be searched for meats in her clothing at the next family visit…is that a Chorizo in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me??!!