Friday, May 1, 2015

Mothers Are Like Clocks



Long ago, before we even had children we bought this large clock for our kitchen. It actually set itself automatically and changed when the time changes twice a year. It was just a simple analog clock, so I never did figure out how it could adjust the time like magic, but it was faithful to do so.

The clock moved from Texas, to Kentucky, and finally Ohio where it adorned our kitchen once more. It wasn't the cutest or trendiest home decor item but it had an important purpose. Our son even learned how to tell time the old fashioned way thanks to that clock. I'll admit that it had gradually sped up over the years to the point that I knew it wasn't perfectly accurate, but it still helped me stay on schedule. It just kept faithfully ticking away.

That was until recently when the clock stopped.

I thought it was 12:55 pm for two hours before I realized what happened. I panicked and rushed out the door to pick up my kids from school. When I returned home I immediately went to change the batteries. The problem is that it still didn't work. We tried different batteries. We tried reseting it. Even the fixer of our family couldn't revive it. So we had to face the fact that after ten years of service to our family the clock had come to the end of it's life.

Time of death? Unknown.
Bad joke. Sorry.

Anyway, into the trash it went and about a week passed by without the clock hanging on the wall. Even despite our phones, computers, and other various digital clocks I had relied on that one for so long that I thought I would loose my mind if it wasn't replaced soon. I looked up at that blank spot on the wall probably 20 times a day. I expected to see the time only to be repeatedly disappointed. I feel lost when I don't know what time it is.

Today we finally replaced the clock and life can proceed as normal.

With mother's day around the corner this got me thinking. Moms are a lot like clocks. As a child you rely on your mother to keep time, to get you where you need to go, to maintain a steady rhythm, to be there to keep the machine running non stop... like clock work! Then one day you grow up and enter adulthood and you realize just how much you looked up to your mom. It's in hindsight that you can fully appreciate the depth of what she did for you.

When I think about my old clock I see so many parallels to my mother.


I don't know how she did it all- all the time, but it happened. Like magic. And if sometimes her timing wasn't perfect it didn't matter because she got the job done. She served our family faithfully. She was committed every second, minute, and hour of every day. Her purpose was and is invaluable.

She taught me how to cherish the time.

So this is for all the mother's out there that are constantly running. To the moms that are a source of reliability and consistency for their families, and those who are trying to embrace every moment as time marches on. Your role in your family is obviously deeper and more intimate than any old clock, but maybe next time you look at the time you can think about the bigger picture because whether you feel it or not, I can assure you that you are appreciated.

 Happy Mother's Day.


15 comments:

blestbutstrest said...

What a beautiful analogy! I was incredibly fortunate to have a very reliable mother--and she's still keeping things ticking (she's the awesome librarian at the school where I work--she's purchased over 2000 books at garage sales and second hand stores for our library, catalogued them all and keeps the kids excited about reading--in just two years of being librarian!).

Susan said...

My mom was something else. Not only the time attendant but the weather attendant - she always knew what the weather was going to be. She was a character and I miss her every day. Our times as a family are different with her gone. Great post Natalie - as always!

{amy} said...

I've never thought about mothers this way, but it's a great picture. I hope that my kids see it this way (or will soon)!

{amy} said...

One more thing...RYC, YES!! I saw that you saw Jon Foreman! Very cool! :)

Wendy said...

I read this post earlier today and thought of it many times. Not only did I consider my own mother, but I thought of myself... their mother. And then I thought of my face. You know, a clock has a face too. It is ever before my children, just like the face of a clock there on your wall. What is it that my face says to my family? Joyful? Loving. Safe? Long Suffering? Thank you for leading me into these thoughts.

Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea said...

Love the way you write my friend, this is fantastic!

sarah may said...

I love this thought and comparison! My days feel very much like that. Ticking away no matter what is going on but with the occasional reset ;-) I pray my boys will feel this way about me once day as well.

sarah may said...

I love this thought and comparison! My days feel very much like that. Ticking away no matter what is going on but with the occasional reset ;-) I pray my boys will feel this way about me once day as well.

martha68 said...

it's so true. even moms that have obvious flaws are so much like a clock. we expect them to be there and tell the time. only when they are gone do we realize the enormity of our loss!

one thing i miss most from my mom is the family history. this includes information about friends of the family. often questions come up that i know only she would know...and i can't ask her now.

loved this post. thanks so much:)

Justine Y @ Little Dove said...

This is such a wonderful comparison and beautifully written post! Thanks for sharing with us.

Saleslady371 said...

I enjoyed reading your post! Mothers are definitely like clocks.
Happy Mother's Day.

Erin @ Love Peace Beauty said...

This is beautifully written! Mothers are definitely the timekeepers and my toddler has no idea what the "hurry" is when I'm trying to get him out of the house. I also recently wrote a post reflecting on some aspects from my mother. It's amazing how motherhood has given me a new perspective. http://wp.me/p5GVyp-4l

Unknown said...

It's so often true that we notice how much someone did after they're gone! My mom was like that clock you're talking about - I'll have to let her know that! :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful analogy and so true! I've always said that the goal of parenthood is to help your children to achieve independence!

Marina @ Parental Journey said...

Awww, this is beautiful :) Love the analogy!