I thought today I would take a break from posting but how could I ? Today is really about being grateful not only for my own mother but for the privilege of being one myself. I didn’t plan to write about #MothersDay because finding the right words to adequately describe it are hard but I will try.
[Photo Credit: Susan Hansen]
Growing up I was lucky to have a mom that was always around and was a strong woman with strong opinions and not afraid to say what she thought. She was as loving as she was fearless in her ability to shut you down with a look or remark. Hmmm, I guess the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. You always know where you stand with her and I adopted this type of “no sugar coating” type demeanor.
Raising 2 kids is hard and 4 even harder. Mix that in with 4 very distinct personalities that each of her kids possessed and I know now what a hard job she had doing it all. However, I know she wouldn’t change a thing. My dad traveled a lot for work growing up so Mom was the disciplinarian, psychologist, cook, cleaning lady, supporter of all things kid related and many times got crap in return from ungrateful teenagers. I know those years were hard for her parenting a lot on her own navigating the treacherous teenage years but doing her best to stand firm no matter what was thrown her way.
Thanks Mom, I don’t give you enough credit for all you did and endured and gave back. In life we took very different paths. She was a stay at home mom and although there were a few years early on I was in that role with my two kids I have worked outside the home for the majority of my adult life. As the years have passed, I have grown to value more of the advice I frequently disregarded and wish I had listened much better. There were many gifts she gave that had nothing to do with material things that have made me the person I am today.
The day I had my first child my Mom told me ” You will now REALLY know what the word ”worry” means. Boy, was she right! Sleepless nights, a love so fierce you have no idea where it came from or that you were capable of loving anyone this much. When my son came along I wondered if it was true that you can love all of your children equally. The day they put Nick in my arms I was assured this was one of the most accurate statements around. My kids are everything to me and they have given me as much as I hope I have given them. They have taught me to love deeply, be humble, always be open to learning a lesson ( they have both taught me a lot) , what unconditional love really is and that no matter what they do, whatever path they walk down or however many times they ignore my texts ( Ha Ha) nothing will ever change the love I have for them and it is unwavering and eternal.
Happy Mother’s Day today and everyday. You deserve it!
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