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some thoughts on young mothers


Robyn Openshaw - May 08, 2009 - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


Thank you for all the emails, and I’m so sorry I haven’t had time to respond to them all.   I have returned rather somberly from my cousin’s funeral in Northern VA, where I grew up.   She got the stomach flu and we don’t know why she died.   We are all devastated by the loss of this young mother of three  young sons (plus another one who died), and watching them sobbing right before her casket was closed is very possibly the most tragic and devastating thing I have ever seen in my life.   Little boys’ hearts breaking and nothing we could do about it.

Shawnie  comes from a wonderful family, and her parents were my “other parents” growing up.   It was a sweet experience to celebrate the life of Shawnie Romney Tull and I am  privileged that  I knew her.

So I have been more reflective than ever on the power of a young mother, because very frankly that was a more tragic funeral than even the funerals of small children I have attended.   Because a young mother is SO DESPERATELY NEEDED.   Mothers change the world.   They control more than they realize.

It’s a conversation I have with my business partner over and over . . . we discuss the needs of everyone who reads GreenSmoothieGirl.com.   And we try to figure ways that everyone is included, because of course I care very much about the health of everyone–the single people, the teenagers, the elderly–I get emails from all these demographics and more.

But as I try to decide where to spend my time in content development, though, my soft spot is always for the  moms.   I very much want to support them.   If you are one, please take care of yourself first.   Remember that on the plane, you can’t put the oxygen mask on your kids until you have your own on.   Remember that you’re  not helping anyone by neglecting your own mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.   Remember that children learn more by example than anything else.

If you have young mothers in your life, not just this Sunday but today, too, give them a hug and tell them that the work they do is important.   That its rewards aren’t always obvious, but they are in fact extraordinary.   Give them  some extra  love.   A friend said to me yesterday, “Everyone should go to a funeral every six months.   That’s how you remember what’s important, and what kind of person you want to be.”

I totally agree.

Posted in: 12 Steps To Whole Food, Mind/Body Connection, Relationships

7 thoughts on “some thoughts on young mothers”

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  1. Very touching post… You are so right, we really need to do more to support the young mothers around us. They are so important.

  2. Anonymous says:

    So sad to hear about your cousin.

    I do love seeing all this great Blue in your post, though! =)

  3. http:// says:

    Warm most loving hugs from me here in Vermont, my heart aches for those little boy’s, and for all of you.

    God will make a great work from this, and His will be done, Mona

  4. Anonymous says:

    You know, it’s not just young kids that need their moms, it’s older kids and adult kids too that still need their moms.

    I am so sorry for your loss, there are no words to console you at this time. This was a tragedy for her family and all that knew her.

  5. Anonymous says:

    My husband was at Shawnie’s funeral also. He is a friend of her husband, Travis. I lost my own mother a little over eight years ago, and I still remember exactly where I was standing as I watched the casket shut and we walked slowly into the chapel from the Relief Society room. As we slowly followed the casket into the chapel, my eleven year old brother asked my dad if mom’s body would be afraid to go into the ground. Death is difficult to deal with for most, but witnessing a little boy trying to make sense of what is going on is heart wrenching. I am sorry for your loss. I agree, mothers have the most powerful impact on their children and we cannot take one moment for granted.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Robyn –

    Your post was so touching since we just buried my husband’s mother. Her influence was felt by the hundreds in her family and greived by all. I so relate to the sobbing of the young boys in your family, as I heard her adult children doing the same.

    Yes, the worth of a mother is great and today being Mothers Day we all need to celebrate their great influence. And we, as mothers, need to remember that it starts with us. We have to have the strength and energy to keep all the “balls”in the air! Our family depends on it – whether it is taking care of young children, older parents, siblings or spouses.

    Thank you for your sweet post reminding us of this – my heart goes out to your family.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Robyn,

    So true….mommies are always putting others first. Time we take of ourselves so we are around for a good long time.

    Your words ring so true with me. Thank you!

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