I know Mother’s Day is the day set aside for children to pay tribute to the women in their lives that have functioned in the role of “Mom” and have done much to bring them to where they are today. I have a different feeling on this day since the passing of of my own mom almost three ago. I am the only one left – there is no one “above” me in the family chain to go visit today or by a flower for. Although I silently give thanks to Mom in heaven for all she did for me, my eyes slowly turn to the girls below me in the family hierarchy: my own daughters.
It is upon them I look with love and pride. They were great children. The blessings and joys raising these two far outweigh the tears and years of work. At 27 and 31 they are now my best friends. They care about me as much as I care about them. The biggest thing I am thankful for in my relationship with them is that there are no walls between us. They run to the phone as soon as trouble strikes and I like that. When I don’t hear from them for weeks on end it is that very thing that puts my mind at ease. If they are not contacting me, then all is well in their world.
On the flip side, when we are together face to face they are always checking on how I’m doing or how I feel about the things going on in my life. Even if I don’t bring up my “stuff”, they find a way to get me to talk about it. Sometimes there are hard things going on inside me that I wouldn’t bring up to my kids, but they sense that and get me to talk a bit about it. I know they really want to know because they are concerned that I’m “okay”. And then, if I’m okay, they can go on with their lives.
I’m glad that when their various presents, wishes, texts, visits, and phone calls arrive today, I know deep down in my heart it isn’t a mere formality of the day. I am proud of them, these two, for the fine young women they have become. I love their wit and humor, mixed with their loving hearts. I love the courage they’ve shown in forging out the places they have made for themselves in such an unsettled and scary world.
So, today I first look “up” and say thank you, Mom, I love you and miss you everyday, and then I look “down” and say thank you, girls, for being such great kids, I love you and cherish these years we still have together.
And so, as another Mother’s Day goes by, I hope you get to touch hearts with the women who are special “mom” types in your lives, Happy Mother’s Day everyone, and…I have written.
Beautiful!