I Heard it on the Radio

Yesterday, while working on my summer project - refinishing the hardwood floors - I listened to the radio. The program, The Diane Rehm Show, featured Ayelet Waldman, a female author, who recently released a book about death and grief.

A book previously written Ms. Waldman titled Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace was brought up by a caller.

I haven't read the book being featured on the program, Red Hook Road, or the book, Bad Mother.

A statement by the author caught my attention...

"Motherhood is the ultimate unrequited love."

Hmmm!

True, I suppose, in some ways.

She went on to say children grow-up, leave home, make a life for themselves and don't include you in their lives.

Hmmm!

Isn't that what's supposed to happen?

• Grow-up


• Leave home


• Make a life for yourself

Qualify "include you in their lives."

Spending time with our children is one of my most favorite things to do.

Would I want to be included in everything they do? No.

If motherhood is an unrequited love, it's only temporary.

When your children go out to make a life of their own, especially if they have children, too, they usually 'get it'...

All that love, hard work, love, discipline, love, teaching them to work, love, teaching them to be honest, love, teaching them to be responsible, and love we've invested in our children is recognized.

They get it.

Hopefully they appreciate it.

They return the love and appreciation.

It's the circle of life.

Not unrequited love!

In the spirit of full disclosure.... we have wonderful children. Much to the credit of their Mother, who had the lion's share of influence on them.

Usually, all the bad habits children develop come from their friends, or at least Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and/or cousins! Or, friends...