Season of Thanks, Mom

Season of Thanksgiving #2 – Mom

Mom, don’t read this if you’re about to head out the door on a hot date or something…

This one’s a given right? My relationship with my mother has been a roller coaster. We dont’ have that movie/tv show relationship. What we do have is real life. See, when I was young I wasn’t really a bad kid, and we had it easy. Those were simple times. Then I had to grow up a little bit and get mean (teenager). The years that I couldn’t stand to be around her because everything coming from her was some sort annoyance to me (like a typical teenager). We had our first fallout after I graduated high school and moved out. I wanted freedom and she simply wasn’t ready for me to go. We had our second falling out when Gene died. And we had our third spat just before I got married. We’ve made the difficult transition of me being her “child” to being an “adult” and finally, her friend. Life is not easy and relationships get messy. I will always be her son, and she will always be my mother. That is a bond like no other. Especially when there were so many ups and downs in our life together. She had to do a lot on her own with me and that folks, that ain’t easy. But the bond is formed, and despite the world’s attempts to sever it, we still press on because we love each other.

It’s not until you’ve grown up and “left the farm” that you truly appreciate your mother. The fact that I’m not in a back alley somewhere smoking crack is because my mother instilled proper judgement in me. I have manners because my mother didn’t hesitate to put me in my place. I have a positive outlook on life because my mother showed me the value of searching for the good in things. I respect women because I was raised by a woman.
You are where you are today because your mother loved you and scolded you. Hugged you and spanked you. Protected you when necessary, but also let you fall when necessary (while quietly weeping on the sidelines).

Stubborn, tenacious, spirited, strong…loving, caring, nurturing, kind. All words that describe my mother. Funny how they cover both ends of the spectrum.

So, hug your Momma today if you can or just call her and tell her you’re thankful for her. Because they are the strongest and yet most fragile ones in the family. You’d be surprised how quickly the strongest mother can be reduced to tears with a simple “Thank you” or “I love you”. They truly, deeply, honestly don’t hear it enough.

 

Back then

 

And now

 

 

 

Next Up: Dad