https://youtu.be/iKCw-kqo3cs

This is the time of year when millions of people celebrate their mothers. While there are a few people who may not have a mother still living, or surrogate mothers (i.e. grandma, aunt, a neighbor, teacher, or friend), each of us can relate to our favorite storybook or television mom in one way or another. So, in honor of literary moms everywhere, here's taking those lemons and making "Lemondade."

Raise your hand if you remember Christina Crawford's depiction of Joan Crawford in "Mommie Dearest." The book that gave way to the 1978 memoir that describes Joan has unbalanced and alcoholic created quite a stir in Hollywood and the homes of everyday people like you and me when the movie was released several years later in 1981. While Christina's account of her life has been confirmed by some and denied by others, either way the cookie crumbles I'm sure she is not alone in feeling duped by the warm, gentle and loving embrace of a motherly figure. For some of us, having Joan as a mother might have been okay compared to not having a mother at all. And that is why not all mothers are created equal.

As a true Disney fan, I decided to shed a different light on motherhood. Having done some "accidental" research, I discovered in an online article entitled "The 10 Best Disney Moms" that Disney often removes mothers from its stories to allow for the storyline to develop quicker. My first reaction, as a mom, was WTW?! Are they trying to say moms talk too much, would spend too much time giving advice, or would simply dominate the screen?

However, as I continued to read, I was happy to discover that by taking mom out of the scenario, the characters are forced to grow up faster. Now, isn't that a good piece of information we can all use, mothers and children alike? No more pacifier, no more walker... just birth and bam... running through the forest singing to the trees (Pocahontas), or fighting the spirit of a bear (Meredith), or better yet... turning Arendale into the biggest ice skating rink ever (Elsa). How about this one? Returning to the Pridelands (Simba)! Okay, okay... you got me. The Lion King is my absolute favorite Disney movie of all. Yep, Serabi rules! Although she stayed home, imagine poor baby Simba tricked into believing he was no longer loved or wanted by that ratchet Uncle Scar. Sometimes, isn't that just how life is?

Even in our daily lives, think about the times when Mom wasn't available and you had to make choices. A decision needed to be made and—right or wrong, good or bad—it was done. This is a great takeaway for anyone in need of a little encouragement today or this Mother's Day season. If you had a great mom or if mom wasn't around as much as you would have liked for her to be, there comes a time when we simply have no choice except to step back and ask ourselves 'what would Mom do or what would I have wanted a mom to do?' Then, there are other times when we might actually get to enjoy the warm hugs and gentle kisses of a mom or other motherly figure who may not smell as nice as Mom does, let's say Grandma, but her hugs may be much more fulfilling. Think about it; life is not a Disney movie. Some of us had overly protective mothers who didn't let us grow the way we should have. Others didn't have mothers at all and were forced to learn more than they probably think they should have needed to know. Regardless, we all learned directly or indirectly by default and for that we should be thankful. 

In the end, some of our best blessings had to come from our biggest lessons. Many times in life, we take for granted those who love us. Growing up, we think Mama doesn't have a clue on many occasions, forgetting Mama was once a bright-eyed five or 15 year old girl herself. Although maybe not the same dreams, Mama had her own aspirations. Because of her, you are. And, even if you didn't get dealt the best hand or catch the best breaks, someone was there to help you even if it was random strangers who passed with a hello or maybe even a goodbye. It all counted, even what you've tried to discount. So, this Mother's Day, take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful, and not so wonderful, things your mother or mother-figure gave to you or kept you from. Use those high and low points in your life to fuel the next season, and see yourself doing things you thought you'd never do and probably never even dreamed of doing.

There is no greater gift than someone laying down their life for you and, in this case, someone gave life to you, so you could live. Now, go do it! Many moms give up so much of themselves for the very children they give birth to or adopted, fostered, inherited by sheer default of you coming home with a friend that they never get back to living themselves. They pretty much died that you might live, so do more... experience even more... and pay it forward. Offer a hug, shake a hand, pick up the phone and actually call... not text... actually go visit... don't Instagram or SnapChat... you know, be ancient one day of the year. You can do it! That's what Mom would say. Believe it.

Resources:

"10 Best Disney Moms" - https://www.adventuresinfamilyhood.com/2015/05/10-best-disney-moms.html