Have you noticed how mom's are a unique species. Giving birth to a child, also gives birth to new feelings of defending their young, putting selfish desires aside in order to take care of the new one, and doing all in ones power to keep the baby alive. I marvel that some mothers travel thousands of miles to give birth to their young where climates are warmer, thus enabling a better start for their babies. Or mothers that starve for months, not risking the life of the newborn to search for food, or the ones that do find food, only to regurgitate it to feed her babies. Um, did I mention I recently saw the movie "Earth"? I loved the beautiful scenery and the feeling that I was right there in the jungle or the ocean with the animals. But I was taken back by the realization that mothers everywhere and of every kind, yes animals included, all have the same love and tender feelings for their newborns. It just proved to me once more, how those feelings of pure, unselfish love is instinctual. If even the smallest of animals, like a bird, to the biggest, like the Blue Whale, can get it right, why don't we humans always get it right.
We might not all have been born with maternal instincts. Certainly any person after witnessing a temper tandrum thrown by a unhappy child at the store or a resturant, loses all desire to breed offspring, but once that tiny, precious little child is placed in your arms, a greater love is born and the instinct to protect and care for, giving little thought to your own needs, kicks in. And just like a momma bear, we tend to want shelter our little cubs from anyone that would want to hurt them.
I see it everytime at the ball park. Some little 11 year old that comes slidding into homeplate, only to be called "OUT" by the ump. You know who the mothers are, they're the ones behind the chain link fence shouting "WHAT? He made it by a mile! Open your eyes ump!"
I admit, I have been known to express my unsatisfied feelings with the man in the mask before. It's instictual, baseball brings out the mamma bear in me.
Did you know whales birth their babies in the caribbean where the water is warm, then 2 weeks later travel 2000 miles back with their baby to the icy waters of the antartica for food? As I am huddled in the stands with my coat, gloves and blanket wrapped around me, my son is on the field with nothing but his t-shirt and hat on. Everytime he runs back into the dugout I'm there offering a sweatshirt and a blanket to wrap up in while he's waiting for his turn at bat. He always assures me he's fine, he doesn't feel the cold. How can that be? If I'm cold he must be freezing, right? It's just the mamma whale in me.
In Africa, during the dry season, animals of all kinds gather at the last remaining water holes to stay alive. Enemies stare each other down as they slowly dip their tongues to the precious water, cautious of each others sudden movements. After the game as each boy is given his 'treat ticket', 24 boys all descend on the snack bar at once. Each one shoving his way to the front of the line, garuanteeing themselves a hot dog before they run out. I'm always at the back, telling my son, who is small and polite, (2 deadly combinations for the snack bar mob) to get in there! Don't let that kid cut in front of you! Just shout out what you want, someone will hear you! Did he just push you? Shove him back! Don't be afraid to speak your mind! I'm afraid baseball also brings out the mamma lion in me.
As you can see, we're not so different than the animal kingdom. Sure, we don't eat our young like some species do (although somedays we might agree with this theory) and I don't know that animals feel remorse or regret after they attack their enemies the way I do. (I'm sorry to the obnoxious lady on the other team for whom I made a snide remark too, and yes, I did apologize after the game). But we share a common bond, in that we love our offspring. We try to nurture, teach, and help them survive in a crazy world until they're old enough to tackle the world on their own. And when they are ready to leave the nest, we usually do as the birds of paradise. We might shed a tear or two, but when the door is closed safely behind us, we turn to each other and do the happy feet dance!
(Uh...It's actually a mating dance, but hey, we know what that leads too. And afterall, we just got rid of one child and don't need another one to replace it!)
We might not all have been born with maternal instincts. Certainly any person after witnessing a temper tandrum thrown by a unhappy child at the store or a resturant, loses all desire to breed offspring, but once that tiny, precious little child is placed in your arms, a greater love is born and the instinct to protect and care for, giving little thought to your own needs, kicks in. And just like a momma bear, we tend to want shelter our little cubs from anyone that would want to hurt them.
I see it everytime at the ball park. Some little 11 year old that comes slidding into homeplate, only to be called "OUT" by the ump. You know who the mothers are, they're the ones behind the chain link fence shouting "WHAT? He made it by a mile! Open your eyes ump!"
I admit, I have been known to express my unsatisfied feelings with the man in the mask before. It's instictual, baseball brings out the mamma bear in me.
Did you know whales birth their babies in the caribbean where the water is warm, then 2 weeks later travel 2000 miles back with their baby to the icy waters of the antartica for food? As I am huddled in the stands with my coat, gloves and blanket wrapped around me, my son is on the field with nothing but his t-shirt and hat on. Everytime he runs back into the dugout I'm there offering a sweatshirt and a blanket to wrap up in while he's waiting for his turn at bat. He always assures me he's fine, he doesn't feel the cold. How can that be? If I'm cold he must be freezing, right? It's just the mamma whale in me.
In Africa, during the dry season, animals of all kinds gather at the last remaining water holes to stay alive. Enemies stare each other down as they slowly dip their tongues to the precious water, cautious of each others sudden movements. After the game as each boy is given his 'treat ticket', 24 boys all descend on the snack bar at once. Each one shoving his way to the front of the line, garuanteeing themselves a hot dog before they run out. I'm always at the back, telling my son, who is small and polite, (2 deadly combinations for the snack bar mob) to get in there! Don't let that kid cut in front of you! Just shout out what you want, someone will hear you! Did he just push you? Shove him back! Don't be afraid to speak your mind! I'm afraid baseball also brings out the mamma lion in me.
As you can see, we're not so different than the animal kingdom. Sure, we don't eat our young like some species do (although somedays we might agree with this theory) and I don't know that animals feel remorse or regret after they attack their enemies the way I do. (I'm sorry to the obnoxious lady on the other team for whom I made a snide remark too, and yes, I did apologize after the game). But we share a common bond, in that we love our offspring. We try to nurture, teach, and help them survive in a crazy world until they're old enough to tackle the world on their own. And when they are ready to leave the nest, we usually do as the birds of paradise. We might shed a tear or two, but when the door is closed safely behind us, we turn to each other and do the happy feet dance!
(Uh...It's actually a mating dance, but hey, we know what that leads too. And afterall, we just got rid of one child and don't need another one to replace it!)
3 comments:
being a mom is the greatest experience on this earth,and when they turn out to be daughters like you it was worth it all. I love you and happy Mothers Day.
What a wonderful post about your mom. I wanted to say thanks for submitting this post to TheBlogFrog's Mother's Day blog contest. We've got all the posts linked on the contest page and we'll pick our winning entry by tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day today.
Holly Hamann - Founder - TheBlogFrog
Hey Linda! As usual, I loved reading your blog. You should write a book... I love how you express yourself, how your words flow so beautifully, your humor and honesty. You have a true talent! Love ya!!!
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