The Beauty of Mothers

May is my favorite month. Of course, mainly because it’s my birthday month, but for so much more than that. As the time draws nearer to the month of May, I always seem to become filled with an inner glow. And as the day of my birth approaches, I always become retrospective, thinking back on my life, the things I’ve learned, accomplished, and still aspire to. Needless to say, my plans have changed several times. But one of the other reasons May is special to me is because I am fortunate to share the same birth month as my mother. In fact, I was born one week before her 30th birthday. I’m a couple weeks into my 30th year on this earth. My mother just turned 60, and my grandmother is 90, soon to be 91. Three generations of strong women, my strength being a direct extension of theirs. In so many ways, I am the mirror image of my mother. When I look back on old photos, I see my reflection. When I hear people attest to her characteristics, I try to identify those that match my own. I often wonder how much of her spirit resides in me. My hands even match hers, wrinkles and all. It has taken me some time to fully appreciate the value a mother-daughter relationship offers. In the midst of my many storms, she has been my port, reminding me to stay grounded in that matter-of-fact way that only she can. I didn’t always recognize the gift of being able to run to my mommy with my “end-of-the-world” dilemmas if only to vent, feeling much relieved after a conversation with her. Her prayers from a distance have covered me, even when I wasn’t disciplined enough to pray for myself. When I’ve fallen short due to my own hand (time and time again), she intercedes without judgment. Her constant love is reassuring and she has been one half of my biggest fan club/support team growing up, proving that there is a metaphorical umbilical cord bond that extends beyond birth. My heart aches for those that have lost their mothers or never had a relationship with them and I confess, that is one of my biggest fears because I don’t know….I can’t even finish the thought. The close calls have seized my heart. My mother has had her bouts with illnesses and the fact that she is not immune terrifies me to my core. But what I do know is for the time that I am blessed to have her with me on his Earth, I will cherish and honor the woman who made me and strive to make her proud. And if I can pass on my mother’s characteristics – her sense of humor, love of sports, magical skills in the kitchen and craftiness, love of gardening, and her ability to run a household without letting her children see her sweat – to name a few, then I’ll know I’ve been a great mother too. I love you Mom <3