Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day


You know that you are a Mom, when it is dark, cold and late in the evening, and you have a big report to finish for work the next day, with flashlight in hand, you are out the door, looking for your child's most favorite, can't go to sleep without it, toy. It was your 3 year old daughter's bedtime and Mr. Clown Bear was nowhere to be found. You knew she had it in her stroller on the mile and a half walk home from daycare. Then it hits you, somewhere on the streets between your house and daycare, was Mr. Clown Bear.

Out of all the toys my daughter ever owned, Mr. Clown Bear was her favorite. It was a gift from her Uncle when she was born. It was a white teddy bear with a cloth body covered in bright colored circles. It reminded us of a clown, hence the name.

Clown Bear went everywhere Elizabeth went. Over the years he would occasionally loose an arm or a leg, each time it would be reattached, ready to be hugged, loved and held again. It was like a security blanket. With clown bear in hand, all was right with the world ..... she felt safe.

Each day I would take the bus from work to Elizabeth's daycare, bundle her up, and begin the long walk home. It wasn't a straight path from school to home, but rather a series of lefts and rights, up and down all these charming little streets, all named after trees. I was going to have to backtrack to the school in hopes of finding this little 10 inch piece of white fur with polka dots. As much as Daddy wanted to help, he couldn't. He would not have known, which streets, where we crossed or on which side of the street we walked. It seemed like a futile endeavor, but with a teary eyed toddler clinging to her Daddy, crying out for clown bear in between the sobs, I had no choice.

20 minutes into the walk, my flashlight picks up something white. It is up on the lawn of a house, near the porch steps. Could it be? I held my breath and walked into the yard .... and yes, there it was, Mr. Clown Bear, a little bedraggled, arm dangling, but otherwise in good shape. I imagined that a dog or even a child had found it and then dropped it on the ground. With clown bear in tow, I raced home.

Daddy had been trying to calm her down with her favorite bedtime story, but I could still see the tears running down her little cheeks when I entered the room. Then there was the smile, the pure unadulterated joy of a child being reunited with her childhood friend. The look of relief on Daddy's face was pretty good too. Finally, she fell asleep, clutching clown bear. Once again, all was right with the world, she was safe. A little bit later, I gently pried Mr. Clown Bear loose and gave him a bath and fixed his arm. Usually I am a germ freak; however, for that night, it didn't matter how filthy the toy was, only that it had been found. A lesson for Mom, "Don't sweat the small stuff".

I love being a mom. True, my daughter now presents me with more complicated matters than a lost clown bear, but they are the usual things that make up a young woman's life. I would never trade a single moment of being a mom. I have loved them all, the good and the painful growing experiences, the boo-
boo's mommy can't fix but will help make a little less painful by just being there. It is what moms do.

So Happy Mother's Day to you all. Happy Mother's Day to my Mom. Here is my favorite photo of her. She will kill me for posting it. Hi Mom. (She faithfully reads my blog) But I think she looks beautiful. Have a good day.



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day!
I agree, that is a beautiful picture of your mom. She does look beautiful.
We, too, have done the walk & search - ours was for a monkey and the search took place in stores we had visited. Found him enjoying tea at a display. Other shoppers must have wondered who added him, but he looked very much at home.

quiltmom anna said...

Your mom does look beautiful - We were fortunate that we never had to find the lost stuffie( Kevin, our son, had a large collection of lions of which Dandy was king of the pride) but we have had other adventures together as parents. Being a mom is a big responsibility but like you, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. He is a great gift in our lives.
Have a fabulous Mother's Day with your daughter.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Your Mom is beautiful! So are you! Have a great day!

Julie Marie said...

Happy Mother's Day to you Sherrie... and yes, your mama looks just beautiful! xoxo Julie Marie

CC said...

Ohhhh,your mother is beautiful. Such a gorgeous smile that just lights her face. Happy Mothers Day to you both...I hope it is blessed and fillrf with happiness.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I love your story today about clown bear. My son had an old raggy monkey that he clung to and many nights I had to search for it.
It had been washed so many times that it was falling apart, but it didn't matter to him. Of course he is all grown up now and I am not sure what ever happened to the monkey, but it gave him many years of happiness.

hugs and Happy Mother's Day sweet girl. I'm glad you liked my girdle story, I still laugh when I see one of those contraptions waiting to torture someone new! LOL

Sissie

maryelizabethroche said...

I just love the picture of you and your daughter in the mirror!
Happy Mother's Day to you!

craftyles said...

I love your story and your Mom is beautiful! Happy Mother's Day to you.

Sarah said...

What an adorable story! I'm sure this little scenario has been played out in many a household though time. Only a mom or a dad would go to such lengths
Hope you had a terrific Mother's Day! ~ Sarah

AWJ said...

Happy belated Mother's Day, Sherrie. :) Thanks for sharing the story.