Generations of Motherhood : Abbe’s Ruminations May 2025
I didn’t intend to write about Mother’s Day, and in fact my thoughts are more about Grandparents—the wonderful next step in our lives. Once again, I participated in my two grand-daughter’s school event. I loved seeing the art, the essays, the history summaries, and the attempts at keeping their desks neat. Each child has their tendencies, one was made for organization, the other smiles sheepishly as her teacher laughs at her efforts. I sigh, knowing the innocuous battle.
After attending the event for the past three years, I recognized some of the other grandparents, from my walks in the neighborhood, book talks, and sporting events. I’m part of a club of engaged family members. Time passes, and my awkwardness from being transplanted in the community disappears. We speak the language of generations. Now, I am more than my children’s mother, the wife of, the owner of—I’m seen as part of an elite group of adults who marshal in another generation.
I can’t help but think of the cord that brings us into the world and never disappears. My two younger grandkids, not quite two-years-old, proudly show me their bellybuttons—the umbilical cord knotted and visible. They have no idea of its importance in terms of history, genetics, and nutrition. I marvel at the word in Spanish, ombligo. All the children I met in Puerto Rico shared their bellies with me. I laughed letting the pronunciation roll off my tongue.
More seriously, I think of the commonalities of people, the stretch of humanity, the feeding of one generation to the next. I’m hopeful, as I look at the bright eyes of the young, the enthusiasm of the teachers. I listen to how the children share, the way they talk with respect to their teacher, but ask hard questions. I love the fact that a teacher honestly says, “I don’t know.”, when questioned about the future.
As always on Mother’s Day, I’ll pass time with my adult kids, for a dinner and the morning of buying plants. This is our tradition—planting and nourishing.
I wish you all a belly laugh, to celebrate wonderful times you’ve shared.
I’d love to laugh with you, share your thoughts about generations with me at
