Within hours of the birth, the complicated and life-threatening birth of my beautiful and brilliant daughter, a single word began whizzing across that high-speed thoroughfare between my ears. Back and forth along the byway that bisected my mother nature. As I simmered in the newness of motherhood and the inconceivable possibilities that lie ahead, convinced of the utter perfection and excellence of her future, the word on my mind was not now or possibility. I was grateful, but the word was not grateful. I loved her, but the word was not love. It wasn’t peace, or calm, or happiness. It wasn’t blessing or miracle. It wasn’t amazing or grace.
It was Stanford.
Ninth Annual Palo Alto Mothers Symposium
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California
Saturday, March 7
9:30 a.m.-noon
Momma Zen: Finding Peace and Patience in the Everyday
with Karen Maezen Miller
How or if or when my daughter gets there no longer matters. What matters is that you do, that we all, each of us, get to a place of peace and patience, by the very means we have at hand. Then, and only then, have we finally given our children lives to make their own.
“Year after year, this unique gathering of mothers generates a spirit of support and compassion that ripples out into our families and our community. We hope you will find refuge from the demands we all experience as mothers, sometimes enlivened and sometimes burdened by the magnitude and influence of this role. We invite you, for a morning, to take a break from all the rules, goals, consequences, and other criteria against which we measure ourselves; and to embrace the possibility that most of what you need to know about mothering is available within you and the present moment.” – The Mothers Symposium
I wish, my dear. It sounds like what I need. Maybe another time I shall be so lucky.
Comment by Bridge — February 21, 2009 @ 6:05 am
I’m registered and looking forward to a thoughtful and inspiring morning! Thank you for doing this.
Comment by Sharon Delman — February 21, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Well, that’s a great reason to think the word “Stanford” so soon. My daughter heads to college in 18 months, so I’m thinking words like “Stanford” for other reasons…
Yes, all you need to know about parenting is within you. And parenting helps cultivate awarenesses that are valuable for life.
Comment by dadshouse — February 22, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
I clicked your link to Postcards from the ledge, and I have to tell you how profoundly "Missing is what it means to love." touched my spirit tonight.
My daughter was born still just 4 1/2 short years ago. Missing & Loving are completely intertwined when I think of her.
Our children are so much a part of us, no matter where they are on their journey in this life.
I can't think of any way to really thank you for those words, so I am going to go sit quietly and just be with them for awhile.
Comment by Journey Wildly — February 23, 2009 @ 4:28 am
Being is the best part of be.
Comment by Karen Maezen Miller — February 23, 2009 @ 4:13 pm