Mother’s Day by definition is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.
Today, I am blessed, to be a daughter, a step-daughter and a MOM!
To my mom, the road has been rocky with more than our share of twist and turns. Despite the struggles, you have stuck by me through thick and thin, good times and bad with LOTS of great memories along the way. As a child, you were there to guide and support me.
Our house was always the place where all of your friends wanted to go while I was secretly hoping to go somewhere else. Just because it was MY house and MY parents. I wasn’t a bad kid, I just wanted to be somewhere other than in my parent’s range of vision. Doesn’t every teenager? My mom lead the charge when my parents cooked breakfast for 300 plus after the Junior Prom. Our house was open to friends all the time with a stocked frig. At my graduation party, anyone who drank got to crash on the floor of the rec room – no questions asked.
During my years of my addiction, I was not the ideal daughter but despite my craziness, mom stuck by me. She supported me emotionally and financially (when needed) for many years. She believed “that’s what parent’s are for” so she very seldom said no.
When she found out she was going to be a grandmother, it was hard for her because I was a single mom BUT once she saw her granddaughter’s smiling face – her heart melted. She has weathered the storms and the challenges which have come our way. She has taught me about strength. She has taught me about kindness. She has taught me how to be a good mom. She has taught me about cherishing my family. Mom, thank you for all of the lessons. I may not have always appreciated them at the time, but I am grateful for them now as an older, wiser and more mature woman. I am who I am today because you allowed me to grow and struggle through the bumps in the road. I am who I am today because you loved me when I didn’t love myself. Thank you…..Happy Mother’s Day to the BEST MOM in the world. I love you!
To my daughter, Belinda who makes MY Mother’s Day so special. They say you never know what it means to be a mom until you have a child – I agree 100%. I now understand why my mom put up with everything (the good, the bad & the ugly) all of those years. My daughter is my heart. It was “you and me, kid” for most of her life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Being a single mom had its struggles but with the love and support of family and friends we made it. As a child, you were a challenge – having your own opinion and questioning everything but you helped me to grow as a person too. You have grown into an AMAZING woman that I am proud to say is “my daughter”.
To those who have lost their moms, cherish the memories. To those who have a strained relationship with them, reach out, re-connect – bless and move on – for you don’t want to live with regrets when they are gone.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms and those who have been like a mom to so many.
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.
Hope Wissel 