pondering mothering on mother’s day

So, did you have a galactic Mother’s Day?

I sure did. This card, made for me by Mr. T, assured it.

His card reminded me that despite all my lacks and failings as a mother–if I’ve nagged too much, and complained too much and forgot to have fun on the weekends because cleaning the house seemed more important than visiting a beach; if I’ve done any number of terrible things the kids might come up with if I had the courage to ask–I’ve done one thing right. 

I’ve helped them to become creative people. 

H is drawing storyboards and scouting locations for his next film. He found out that he was accepted into a wonderful month-long filmmaking program this summer, at CalArts in Southern California. Chris and I are thrilled for him.

Lulu was feeling uncreative last week. No project appealed to her. Then she saw the art Mr. T was working on: a space scene, complete with spatter-painted stars. And she sat down and came up with this mix of art and poetry.

She’s been working on a monologue and a song for a musical audition, which happens tomorrow. (I think she has the dancing part of the audition in the bag!) My fingers are crossed as far over as they’ll go.

And Mr. T is making galactic Mother’s Day cards. And spending a lot of time living in his own imaginary world.

One of the main reasons I wanted to homeschool the kids was to help them develop and hold on to their creativity. I think all of us are born creative–but it’s easy to lose as we grow up. It makes me so happy to see that my kids are not only holding on to their creativity–they’re letting it guide their lives.

So I’ve done one thing right. Now I just have to remember to nag less. And have fun more.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Galactic, even.

My mom and me, yesterday. She gave me the confidence to be a creative person. But mostly she taught me how to love.