I sat
next to my daughter-in-law recently on hard metal stadium seats, and happily
broiled my nose in the cloud-filtered sun of San Diego’s heatwave, for my
granddaughter’s high school graduation ceremony.
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqn5XckvuAs/V2sapSWtAeI/AAAAAAAAC_I/jwOxHm-FsnAJlHHFoodFzGU2XazeEYEzwCLcB/s1600/Madison%2BHigh%2Blogo.jpg)
Pretty
much sums up motherhood. And a new Penchant for Penning word that (is made up)
sums up “mommy toil/moil” – moiling!
Through
confusion and turmoil, mothers just always seem to know what to do – or fake it
well until it works out anyway. J For every major
holiday and moments of celebrations, we oversee the festivities, moiling
through the details to ensure that even if events don’t quite go as planned, a
good time is had by all. Sound familiar?
My daughter-in-law orchestrated the ceremony attendance of loved ones and a restaurant party for a baker’s dozen, as if born to the role of event manager. And at the end, it was the teary hug between she and my granddaughter that made it so special.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFxiXf4c1Xs/V2sa2kNNmTI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/U2LA_6QNTW4rwzWhpV67QuuVpuQaqZ_7QCLcB/s200/grad%2Bhats%2Bceremony.jpg)
For
moms, graduation is also a bright, shiny symbol. One of love, pride, and
relief, with a carefully hidden tinge of sadness. Her baby is that no longer. Her child, who she has
nurtured and loved to this poignant occasion, needs to spread her wings and fly
– and that is a frightening moment for a devoted moiling mom.
A
mother’s moiling is never done – but it does change dramatically in
scope after high school. We are no longer allowed to wipe their noses, kiss
their boo-boos, or brush errant strands of hair from their faces.
But
… old habits are hard to break. A couple of years ago, one of my sons and I
were at odds, exchanging differences of opinion. My forty-something son turned
to me, and in all seriousness, said, “Stop momming
me!”
I’m
sorry – my reaction? What could I do? I burst out laughing. “Son, that will never happen.” It’s true, I’m a proud moiler
for my children – always have been – always will be.
Word of the Week: MOIL. Can you fit it into your own line of prose this week about
Mom and moments in life?
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