To All The Mothers
One of my favorite things about the spring season is witnessing new life emerge. From plants to insects to animals, spring is a time to marvel at the cycles of life. Whether it's deep magenta peonies sprouts bursting from the ground or dragonfly nymphs molting and emerging as adults, spring is filled with wonder.
Every year we are fortunate to have new families of ducks and geese grace our shores. I have been enjoying two families of geese, one with two goslings and the other with three. I've been astounded at how quickly they are growing from day to day and also at how close their watchful parents let us get. We can walk about our yard with relative normalcy and they will not make a hasty retreat.
This is in stark contrast to the wood duck families, who have been known to evacuate our yard from merely a loud sound coming from inside our home. Forever reclusive, I generally appreciate them from afar.
Of particular interest has been one momma who seems to have adopted an entire flock of babies. There are at least a half dozen couples, but I only ever see one female with the largest clutch of ducklings I've ever witnessed. I hate to count, as it always leads to devastation when I notice the dwindling numbers from day to day, but at first sighting I counted 36! They cannot possibly all be hers.
It brings to mind the "it takes a village" proverb as I imagine the mothers taking turns overseeing the safety of the flock's ducklings.
"Sure, Denise, I'll watch your babies while you go for a quick swim and get some dinner. No problem."
"Steph, you're feeling the need to stretch your wings and go for a quick flight? Go for it."
"Janessa, you need a break? I've got you covered."
Isn't that what all we mother's do? Whether it's in the confines of a church, a friend group, your extended family, or school, sharing the responsibility of raising children and ensuring their safety is so often a group effort. It's reciprocity in action. The communal support—and contribution—represents the best of what parenting can be. Thankfully, in the case of humans, the parenting doesn't fall solely on the female's shoulders. Men can and do share in the responsibility, more and more equally with each generation.
Mother's Day may have come and gone, but every day is a good day to appreciate the love and care—the nurturing—that we receive from all the mother figures in our lives. Thank you, moms!
