I have loved
my mom for my whole life. Probably not an uncommon statement, but I have. Quick
story here. My mom and dad married young and quickly started a family. They had
two sons and my mom was finished having babies. As she told it to me, my dad
really wanted a girl. She said he even told her that it would be great to have
a little girl to get into her makeup and clothes. She didn’t agree. Four years
after their last son, she found out she was pregnant. Back then, you didn’t
know what gender the baby was until it was born. Anyway, my mom was not happy.
She said she didn’t want to be pregnant and didn’t want a third child. Nine
months later, it was me. Whoo Hoo! My dad was over the moon, he finally had a
girl. Now I was young so I don’t remember much, but I think my mom was happy
too. We always joked that I was the baby she never wanted. I countered with, “doesn’t
matter to me because you are stuck with me.” She agreed.
Over the
course of the years, we were the girls. I was a little rougher than most but I
was still a toenail painting, doll playing girl. My mom would dress me up and most
of the time I couldn’t stand it. I wanted cut-offs and a tee-shirt, just like
the boys. I am sure that frustrated her because she was all girl. She knew how
to dress, act and just be proper only without being stiff. Many times I would
hear, “that’s not lady-like.” I never cared; I liked playing in the dirt and
climbing trees.
The love
between a mother and daughter is something special. Most of the time when you
are growing up, that love is not appreciated. I’m not sure it is supposed to
be. Kids live in the moment and moms are just the ones who take care of us and
as my son says, “give the best kisses.” As teenagers, kids tend to rebel and
think that their moms are outdated and don’t understand. I can recall thinking
my mom just didn’t know how I felt. She did. I just didn’t realize it until
later.
My mom, dad,
brother, husband and myself all sat down one day to plan her final gala. What a
gift that was. We hated doing it but it was something we did as a family. She
was specific. She wanted some readings done and one in particular was and is
very close to my heart and I would like to share it.
When I was
young you were there every day.
You were
given no reward, no honor, no pay.
You were
just the person who took care of me, nothing more.
You never
complained, it was never a chore.
You knew
what to say when I was sad.
You even
knew what to do when I was bad.
You were a
mom, these things you just did.
What did I
know, I was only a kid.
As I look
back now, I realize your goal,
You were
simply molding my soul.
The things I
now say and the things I now do
Are direct
reflections of you.
So, I live
my life in honor of you,
And I hope I
make you proud…that’s all I want to do.
I’ll still
make mistakes and you’ll be there to mend,
But the
great part now is that you are my friend.
Copyright 2000
I wrote this
for my mom on Mother’s Day 2000.
So, if you
are a daughter, or have a daughter, hug them tight. We are a special group. My
daughter is one of the loves of my life. She has a special story and I am so
blessed that God chose her for me.
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