Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Sometimes I really do love Oprah

Why you ask? Am I becoming that cliche of a Mother who is addicted to Oprah and takes her wisdom as all that is good and true in the world? No. Certainly not.

She is a woman with the public access to get her messages and agendas out to the masses and the means to make everyone love her as she does it! And good for her - most of the time it seems like she has something pretty interesting to say. I am sure that any one of us would have a lame show now and then if we had to come up with 5 topics per week to captivate and motivate millions of people across the country. There is no way that can be easy for she and her staff....

So all in all I think she does a really good job representing women and supporting our causes and the issues that families struggle with in this country and world every day.

NOW - the reason why I am loving her lately is that she had a show about motherhood and the trials and tribulations of said job. It was like a show about "mom's dirty little secrets" and it rocked! She is so bold, sincere and unapologetic when it comes to taking a stand about parenting. And she is honest and brings out the honesty in the people who come to the show to talk about being a mother.

At some point during this show she very sincerely and candidly said, "All mothers need a wife." Period. She was not joking and did not belabor it. I just sat there half laughing and half realizing how true that was..... Wow - what if there were two of me?!?!?

Further into the show she pointed out that we used to not be so isolated when raising children. Quite often you lived with or close to relatives, and there was never even a need to ask about help with food or baking or childcare or errands. Everyone just did it together - pitched in and helped out whenever and wherever was needed. Even neighbors could provide a strong support system for one another. I remember going to my mom's best friends house as if it was my own. Just an extension of my mom who fed me and bathed me and ran me around to activities just as if I was one of her own. And my mom did the same with her daughter too. What a great example that was for me to see the art of true friendship and support, and I still consider that childhood friend as a friend in my life today. That's the power of two mothers working together to help each other be better mom's and stronger people.

Are we creating those bonds today? Do people lean on one another like we did in the past? My gut tells me no. Women today do not ask for help, or like to admit failure. We believe we can do it all and do it perfectly. I am slowly realizing that for me - my child is taking priority over my ego, or my need for some amazing world changing career. By showing Hannah what it means to be successful as a mother I am changing the world in my own special way - Her.


Be Well.
Until Next Time,
Mary

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