A Mother’s Work

My Mom and Wife – Olympus OM-1, 50mm f1.8, Kodak Portra 400 – Developed & Scanned by Film Box in Nashville, Tennessee

I meant to make this post around Mother’s Day, but did not get around to it. I wanted to pay a tribute to my favorite three mothers, my wife, my mother and my mother-in-law. The title to this post is a play on Kate Bush’s song “This Woman’s Work” which was made even more popular by Maxwell. It’s such a powerful and emotional song about a woman whose life is in jeopardy during child birth. This woman has put in 9 months of creating a new life and now that her work is done she passes away. These 9 months of work is symbolic to a lifetime of sacrifice and devotion to family.

Spiritual, Loyal and Unselfish are three words I would use to describe my wife. She believes in a higher power and understands that she is just a grain of sand on a beach. From the time we started courting; now there’s a word you don’t see any more, I knew there was something enduring and sincere about her feelings toward me and I still have that feeling today. In today’s society, so much is placed on having things. People go in debt just to accumulate stuff. With the invention of Facebook, our narcissistic side is revealed with every new selfie. Increasingly society is moving away from an absolute wrong and right and moving toward a moral relativism. Despite these worldly views, my wife remains true. She chose not to have a career of her own and chose to home school our children. She does not care about having a new car or a fancy house. She does not have to put on makeup or wear a new outfit just to check the mail. Her idea of a good time is getting lost in the manuscript of a new book idea she dreamt about the previous night. I tell my boys frequently how lucky they are to have such a mom. They may not appreciate it completely now, but in time they will. When my boys leave the nest, I know my wife will be sad, but she will have memories that most mothers will not and I am extremely thankful that we are in a position where she can stay home with the kids to make these memories of a lifetime.

Some of my earlier memories of my Mom include her setting down with me every day after school to work through my reading assignments. Every morning before school started out with a hot breakfast. I remember her making me finish by vegetables before I could leave the table. I can remember the warm Spring days where she would make paper air planes for me. We did not have a lot of stuff, but Mom made sure I had everything I needed. I could go on and on about my Mom as most of us can. I am thankful she was there for me growing up and I am thankful she is still here today as a loving grandmother to my children.

My Mother-in-law – Olympus E520, Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM

I know just by the Lady I married, that her mother must have done something right. The fact that they talk everyday on the phone is a testament of their loving relationship and the type of mother she is. I love my mother-in-law’s sense of family. She is big on family gatherings and making sure that we all keep in touch. She has a kind heart and is willing to help anyone in need. I know my wife is thankful for such a mother and I am thankful for her also. She continues to be there for us and is a wonderful grandmother. One of the coolest grandmother memories my kids have is the fact that she handmade their Halloween costumes when they were younger. These costumes were better constructed and better looking than anything you can find in a store. It’s those little things that show the character and devotion of my mother-in-law. With these final words, I would like to wish all mothers a belated Happy Mother’s Day!