A Moment with Mama Bear

I haven’t always been known as Mama Bear to my kids.  It was an occasional name they started using as young adults.

The term of endearment now seems to be firmly in place after a gift from our oldest son and his lady friend at Christmas 2016.

For some reason, I just loved this mug from the very moment I opened the package.

The thought of being Mama Bear to my grown kids and their significant others warmed my heart.  It is a new season of life that I’m ready to embrace.  Each of our children are happy and healthy.  Murray and I are blessed to be very content in our empty nest.  These kids of mine don’t need me in the very intense way that they once did and this is something I have had to gradually adjust to.

I had a realization since Hayley got married that this sign, that she willingly had hanging in her bedroom before moving out, really didn’t have a place here any longer.

For kids living with you, home is where their mom is.  As adults, we make homes of our own and in many cases we no longer live with our moms.  As I write this I can think of examples of very dear friends who have their adult children living with them.  In those cases home is where your mom is and that is just fine!  For the purpose of today’s Moment with Mama Bear my realization is that I can still provide a warm and welcoming landing place for my cubs anytime they want to hang out here, but they are building their own homes and families now and that makes my Mama’s Heart happy indeed.

Is there anyone reading this blog right now who wants this pretty sign that says “home is where your mom is”?

Reply to the blog and tell me why you want it.  What stage of life are you at right now, and why does it warm your heart to think of it hanging somewhere in your house?  I want it to go to a good home and I’m ready to pass it along.  Is there a spot waiting for it at your place?

The 2nd Mama Bear gift followed along a few months ago.  Papa and I got coordinating aprons, and again…….my heart was happy!  If I had any doubt after the mug, the apron confirmed it.  I like being Mama Bear 🙂

These are our cubs who come ‘home’ from time to time.

Our oldest son and his lady friend are a bit camera shy!

 

Our daughter Hayley & her husband Ben

 

Our son Jordan and the special girls in his life –  Amanda and Violet

 

I love when our cubs will sit and talk and share their lives with Papa and I.  I love when we can play games or cards together.  We are a family that loves our food, so we all especially enjoy the dinners I make and the potlucks that we all contribute to.  I’m not the only good cook in the family!

Over the months ahead I’m going to occasionally share life with you from my perspective as Mama Bear.  Next month we’ll visit my cubs Hayley & Ben as they settle into their first home together.  Some months I’ll share some organizing ideas from our tiny house, and other times I’ll just talk about “Mama” stuff.  I love to hear from my readers, so your feedback and suggestions for topics are always welcome.

Today’s Smile

Always keep several get well cards on the mantle …

So if unexpected guests arrive, they’ll think you’ve been sick and unable to clean!!