The memories all started this morning when I opened up my photo album to find the perfect snapshot to display on social media for the world to see. Mother's day is always a bittersweet day for me. I tend to think about my life as a mom, quite different than I ever imagined. I also think about my mom and all the things I am - because of her.
She always had a quote or saying that was just fitting for every moment.
For example, in middle school, I tried out for the basketball team. The coach couldn’t decide between another girl and I so we went to the team practices for one long tiring week before a decision would be made. On Friday at 5:00 PM he called me into his office. Unfortunately, the coach picked the other gal, not me. My mom was the one waiting at the school to pick me up after that meeting. She didn't know the outcome, she couldn't prepare her speech but the minute the car door shut, she knew which way the tide had turned. Mom knew exactly what I needed. Time. She drove me around town and let me cry it out. When I didn't have any more tears to drop, she parked the car and gave me my pep talk. A talk that would ring in my ears for years to come. When I felt like a failure, her words would remind me to never give up and that my dreams were worth fighting for. And yes there came a time when I did make the cut. Mom was right.
I scrolled across a photo that was taken when my best friend and I split our ways to attend college. It was a sad day for me because deep down, I knew our lives would never be the same. After spending the last four years, every single day, with someone, you tend to go through a little mourning process. After saying our final goodbyes I cried in my mom's arms. Yet when I was done, she knew exactly what to say. Dust yourself off, there will be changes in life, some good and some bad but making the most of them all is a must. There will be good things waiting, you might not see them if your sulk, and know that your friendship will always be deeply etched in your heart.
Life keeps rolling along, and yet mom is always there for me. She listens patiently as I tell her my fears and she celebrates each victory with me. She taught me that love is a powerful thing. For my wedding, my mom was my rock making sure I was nothing less than a princess. She came to my shower, rehearsal, and wedding day with one message.
Family is the most powerful thing you will ever experience. The love that Scott and I will experience will grow to be stronger than any bond. (Little did I know just how difficult our test would be.)
She always had a quote or saying that was just fitting for every moment.
For example, in middle school, I tried out for the basketball team. The coach couldn’t decide between another girl and I so we went to the team practices for one long tiring week before a decision would be made. On Friday at 5:00 PM he called me into his office. Unfortunately, the coach picked the other gal, not me. My mom was the one waiting at the school to pick me up after that meeting. She didn't know the outcome, she couldn't prepare her speech but the minute the car door shut, she knew which way the tide had turned. Mom knew exactly what I needed. Time. She drove me around town and let me cry it out. When I didn't have any more tears to drop, she parked the car and gave me my pep talk. A talk that would ring in my ears for years to come. When I felt like a failure, her words would remind me to never give up and that my dreams were worth fighting for. And yes there came a time when I did make the cut. Mom was right.
I scrolled across a photo that was taken when my best friend and I split our ways to attend college. It was a sad day for me because deep down, I knew our lives would never be the same. After spending the last four years, every single day, with someone, you tend to go through a little mourning process. After saying our final goodbyes I cried in my mom's arms. Yet when I was done, she knew exactly what to say. Dust yourself off, there will be changes in life, some good and some bad but making the most of them all is a must. There will be good things waiting, you might not see them if your sulk, and know that your friendship will always be deeply etched in your heart.
Life keeps rolling along, and yet mom is always there for me. She listens patiently as I tell her my fears and she celebrates each victory with me. She taught me that love is a powerful thing. For my wedding, my mom was my rock making sure I was nothing less than a princess. She came to my shower, rehearsal, and wedding day with one message.
Family is the most powerful thing you will ever experience. The love that Scott and I will experience will grow to be stronger than any bond. (Little did I know just how difficult our test would be.)
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There was college. Mom was there from the beginning to the end. She started with me in Kindergarten when a group of school administrators told her to send me to an all deaf school. And she was there when I graduated from Creighton University with honors and a Doctoral degree in my hand. My mom listened patiently as I would panic before each test. She never once doubted me.
Sorry mom, I wish you had kept those eyes open! It was the only photo I had!!
Then there was the time she flew in to Michigan from Nebraska and surprised me for my baby shower when I was pregnant with Maddox. Without me saying a word, she must have known how bad I needed her. When she walked in, my heart skipped a beat and I was thankful to have her in my arms again.
After the shower we went to our hotel and ordered room service. We stayed awake into the late hours of the night while Maddox hiccuped away in my belly.
After the shower we went to our hotel and ordered room service. We stayed awake into the late hours of the night while Maddox hiccuped away in my belly.
After Maddox was born, mom was not only mom, she was my counselor, doctor, psychitrist, babysitter, and best friend. She listened to me day in and day out as I shared my fears. She sat in silence as I would sob on the phone from miles away. She reminded me that every thought I was feeling as a new and extremely scared mom was absolutely ok.
After Maddox was born, I wasn't quite able to do all the things I had wished. My mom stepped in and loved her when I couldn't. She went to great lengths to make sure I was I happy and provided humor when I couldn’t.
For Maddox’s first birthday party, she did her best to mask (literally) the pain I was in. For her efforts, I am eternally grateful.
For Maddox’s first birthday party, she did her best to mask (literally) the pain I was in. For her efforts, I am eternally grateful.
I found a photo of when I was in labor with MacGregor. She knew I was so scared of what the future held and that my post traumatic experiences from giving birth to Maddox lingered dear to my heart. She couldn't make the trip in person to comfort me, but once again found a way even with the miles in between us to help me in my time of need.
My list goes on and on about all the times my mom was there to catch me when I fell.
But on the day of my 5th bittersweet Mother’s Day, I felt it was only appropriate to share just how much my mom means to me. She was there to hold me at the lowest point in my life.
But on the day of my 5th bittersweet Mother’s Day, I felt it was only appropriate to share just how much my mom means to me. She was there to hold me at the lowest point in my life.
She was there to pick up the pieces after they crumbled. She delicately glued them back together. Some pieces never made it back to the right place but she still follows her own advice.
Family is important, good things are waiting, and never give up.
Thanks mom, for everything you have taught me and for being there to hold my hand every step of the way.
Family is important, good things are waiting, and never give up.
Thanks mom, for everything you have taught me and for being there to hold my hand every step of the way.
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