Source: RAISING A MAN CHILD
To the Mom at Walmart,
As I turned the corner on the pasta aisle walking towards the mac and cheese while pushing my disabled son in his wheelchair, I noticed you and your kiddo.
You were holding your adorable son’s hand and juggling a couple of items in the other hand.
As we passed one another, our eyes met for a second and you nodded in my direction.
When I looked into your eyes and saw the expression on your face, I saw something I often see in the eyes and hearts of strangers when I am out with my son: pity.
You may feel sorry for me because I’m pushing my son while yours can walk and my son signs to me while yours uses words.
You may feel sorry for me because your son will grow mentally while mine will be forever young.
There are times in which I give myself permission to have a small pity party so I get it.
I get why you and other people may feel sorry for me, but please don’t.
(But) I have so much to be thankful and grateful for.
While our children are very different, you and I are more alike than you may think.
I love my child unconditionally just as you do yours.
The minute I held him in my arms, my heart felt a love I can’t even describe.
I’d do anything to protect him from heartache and pain just as you would with your son.
We both marveled in delight the first time our sons uttered the word “Momma.”
I am proud of my son just as you are of yours even though my son’s accomplishments may be different or take longer to achieve than yours.
While the differences between how we mother and the children we have are definitely there, the similarities are pretty obvious too.
In today’s society, there is so much angst among Moms.
There are Moms who vaccinate versus those who don’t and Moms who work versus the stay at home Moms, just to name a few.
Instead of focusing on our differences, why don’t we focus on the commonalities that bring us all together?
At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to be the best Moms for our children regardless of their abilities, capabilities, or limitations and let’s celebrate that.
Let’s continue to be the best Moms we can be and support each other along the way.
With hugs,
The Proud Momma on the Mac and Cheese Aisle
