Mother's Day

The preschool teachers at my three-year-old's school have put up a marvelously simple and moving display this week, in celebration of Mother's Day.

Each child was asked to bring in a picture of a special woman. The teachers put those pictures into the middle of a circle. Around the edge of the circle, like petals on a rose, are a series of statements by the children about why the woman is special.

I stood, stunned and smiling so broadly, when I read the statements. "My mommy is special because she takes me to the grocery store." "My mommy is special because I love her." "My mommy is special because she holds me." My daughter's said, "My mommy is special because she plays with me (and she takes me to the JCC)." They were all like that. Nothing remarkable--just the day-to-day things that mothers do routinely, often just to keep afloat, sometimes to hang out with their kids.

The kids didn't talk about the "special" things that mothers do, like take them on outings or buying them fancy toys (OK, one did, but that kid was in the other class!). Or having fancy educational pedigrees or prestigious jobs or clean houses.

I have been a mother now for almost seven years, and it was never so clear to me what makes a great parent. It's not anything extraordinary that we do. It's just living our lives carefully and lovingly with our children.

Thank you, preschool teachers, for teaching me that lesson.