Mother's Day Thoughts from a Teacher

Mother's Day. So many angles to come from on this holiday. 
There's the blog to the ones who've lost mothers, those who've lost children, those who have no children.
Those who are birth mothers, who have given up their children so that someone else will celebrate this title tomorrow. 
Step-mothers. Grandmothers. Stand-in mothers. Mother-in-laws. 

Tomorrow each of these are honored, celebrated, or thought about.
As a mother of three, two here and one in heaven, I've had no harder, yet greater title. I love mine dearly, but daily learn that while I call them mine, they are really just gifts entrusted to me for the days that God has ordained.

But this blog is not just about them.
It's about the other 20 children I have, and their mothers.

Everyday, five days a week, seven-ish hours a day, for approximately 180 days a year, I am the "other mother."
They expect me to be there. They have so much to tell me. They get mixed up sometimes, and call me "Mama, only to get tickled and say, "I called you mama; I mean Mrs. Marshall." That happens weekly. 
They need me to listen. They ask me to tie their shoes. They want me to put a bandaid on their scrapes. They offer endless hugs, and say things like, "Your the best teacher I never had." (No, that's not a typo.)

They make me laugh. They make me mad. They make me cry.
Just like my own children do.
In fact, I see them more than I see my own children, it seems.

But here's the thing, mother's of my students: They loved you first. 
You held them at birth, looking at amazement into those eyes, and were overcome with wonder and an unnerving sense of responsibility. It was you who were there for 6 years before you ever sent them to me. In those six years, you've most likely done the best you can, as most mothers do. Yes, you've failed, as all mothers do. But, yes, you've succeeded as well. You've fed, changed, clothed, bathed, fed, rocked, read to them, hugged them, taught them. Loved them.

As their teacher, and their "other mother," I too have failed. And had a few successes. I've fed them, hugged them, read to them, taught them, counseled them. Loved them.

We only have nine days left together, and as I am probably more excited than they, I still have a sense of responsibility and regret, as that "second mom." I'm almost out of time, and I wonder, "How much did I teach them? Did I show them that I love them or will they remember my bad days? Have I invested enough? Will they take anything with them as they leave my room, other than a few leftover dull crayons and an unfinished workbook?"

As their "Teacher/Mom" these are the thoughts that fill my mind. In less than two weeks, I'll "release" them back to you, moms. You, their first love, the best mommies. My prayers go with you- because I know you'll need them just as much as I have needed them this year! Just know that I have tried my best to care for yours as I would my own. I've tried to teach them more than just the "ABC's and 1, 2, 3's." I pray that as you mother, you will be strengthened by the Father.
And as you and I struggle through this thing called motherhood, may we always be reminded that they truly are a gift from the Lord. 
Psalms 127:3- Don't you know that children's are God's best gifts? 

As I look at my own, I realize that time is moving quickly. Four years. Six years. It will go by fast, and they will be out own their own. Those same questions haunt me. How much have I invested, taught? On the days when I've been consumed with impatience and frustration, did they see any hint of Jesus in me? What will they remember?
Teacher. Mother.
Probably the hardest two jobs on the planet.
Possibly the most rewarding. 

So, mothers of my students. "Happy Mother's Day." 
One of your kids told me these words as he was getting ready to walk out the door Friday. It brought tears to my eyes. Just one of the rewards.

To my own children's teachers, thank you for being that "other mother."

To all those who fit in the "other" blogs that have probably been written about you this weekend, please know you (we) are not forgotten. As God saw Hagar in the Old Testament, He is the God who sees you (us) as well.
I pray tomorrow He holds you and gives you mercies new.