Spring Break
Celebrate what motherhood means this weekend
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Forum
As Mom's Weekend approaches, there are quite a few emotions flying around.
One of those emotions is obviously enthusiasm - many adored mothers are making appearances in Corvallis.
Another emotion would be monotony - even though moms are showing up, there are sons and daughters who aren't particularly thrilled about it.
The last emotion is resentment. With so many maternal figures walking around, it's hard not to feel bitter when your own is, for whatever reason, M.I.A.
As I thought more about this weekend's festivities, it hit me that my own mom would not be around to enjoy them with me, and therefore I was, at one point, one of the people feeling the latter sentiment.
My story isn't tragic. In fact, the reason my lovely mom won't be in Corvallis is because she's in a different part of the world. Although she will be greatly missed, my best friend is sharing her mom with me for the next few days.
Whatever emotion is taking you over this weekend, it's important to look at the big picture … what is the meaning of "mother?"
To even grasp the concept of a mother's affection and purpose is difficult enough on its own, but a good way to better understand it is to take a look at some of the world's examples.
For dignity's sake, I'll be giving "Octomom" a break from the media today, and I will instead try to focus our attention on mothers who actually deserve attention; not to imply that I'm not routing for the famous stripper-turned-mother-of-14 as much as the next person.
Let's begin with a look at our nation's first lady: Michelle Obama.
Leonard Pitts Jr., a columnist for the Oregonian, recently published a piece on how Michelle's popularity has gone through the roof since her husband's campaign was thrown into turbo drive.
She started out as the mysterious, maybe even a bit scary, spouse of our then to-be president. But soon enough, the media began to portray Michelle as the magnificent first lady, envied because of her classy fashion sense, composure and tender aura - in fact, she has been labeled the Jackie Kennedy of our time.
One of those emotions is obviously enthusiasm - many adored mothers are making appearances in Corvallis.
Another emotion would be monotony - even though moms are showing up, there are sons and daughters who aren't particularly thrilled about it.
The last emotion is resentment. With so many maternal figures walking around, it's hard not to feel bitter when your own is, for whatever reason, M.I.A.
As I thought more about this weekend's festivities, it hit me that my own mom would not be around to enjoy them with me, and therefore I was, at one point, one of the people feeling the latter sentiment.
My story isn't tragic. In fact, the reason my lovely mom won't be in Corvallis is because she's in a different part of the world. Although she will be greatly missed, my best friend is sharing her mom with me for the next few days.
Whatever emotion is taking you over this weekend, it's important to look at the big picture … what is the meaning of "mother?"
To even grasp the concept of a mother's affection and purpose is difficult enough on its own, but a good way to better understand it is to take a look at some of the world's examples.
For dignity's sake, I'll be giving "Octomom" a break from the media today, and I will instead try to focus our attention on mothers who actually deserve attention; not to imply that I'm not routing for the famous stripper-turned-mother-of-14 as much as the next person.
Let's begin with a look at our nation's first lady: Michelle Obama.
Leonard Pitts Jr., a columnist for the Oregonian, recently published a piece on how Michelle's popularity has gone through the roof since her husband's campaign was thrown into turbo drive.
She started out as the mysterious, maybe even a bit scary, spouse of our then to-be president. But soon enough, the media began to portray Michelle as the magnificent first lady, envied because of her classy fashion sense, composure and tender aura - in fact, she has been labeled the Jackie Kennedy of our time.
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