Mother's Day

 I am the proud mother of three awesome kids.  I think the biggest thing I have learned as a mom is that perfection is not necessary and that mistakes actually make for some great growing pains.  Other things I have learned:

    Loving a child is unconditional, immediate and never ending. That the heart you thought belonged to you actually grows exponentially with them.  (Kind of like the Grinch!)

    Every child needs something different from you, figuring out exactly what may not come easy but does happen!  More hugs, more space, more talk, less talk or more cuddles?  What they all need - LOVE.

    Every child has bits and pieces not only of you and FOB (father of baby) but also aunts, uncles, grandparents.  Best example - my youngest, Scott, loves short stubby pencils just like my grandfather did.  Unfortunately they never met nor watched as he scored bowling with the shortest pencils imaginable.  Embrace the combination that is them and all that is uniquely blended into that child.

    That embarrassing them will happen and they will get over it.  That when they ask you to sit in the back of the room and just listen, just listen.  When they need help speaking up, asking for help from others or just need to make new acquaintances a gentle shove will work better than doing it for them.

    That teaching them life lessons is important.  How to be kind, how to handle the unexpected, how to do the right thing.  How to get out of the "box" of comfort and try new things, meet new people and go new places.  

    That when you are not in the immediate space, they can still hear you.  (Watch the tires! - a running joke about trailering).  

    That worrying about them and their safety never goes away.  It is only tempered with the knowledge they will only make calculated risks and that someone is always watching.  

    That the happiest you can be on any given day is how happy your kids are at the time.  When their heart breaks, so does yours.  When their heart sings, so does yours.  When they succeed, your heart grows.  

    That letting them make their own mistakes is part of their growth despite being painful.  (As long as it is not life threatening of course!)

    That life would have been soooo boring without them!  

    The other part of being a mother is being a daughter and granddaughter.  So many lessons that I have learned from them and embraced.  From my grandmother, Ma, the love of traveling.  "If you get a chance to go, GO."  So I have gone and have taught my kids the same.  If I want something then go ask for it.  To work hard in the morning and rest in the afternoon.  (You all know I love my naps!)  From my mother, acceptance.    To be kind to all.  To share myself with others.  To let God be a part of my self and in my life. From my grandmother, Mummu, to give my all to my patients and treat them as family members.  To persevere.  That a woman can be as strong if not stronger than a man.  

From Memere Adam, Paul's grandmother, I learned patience.  She could sit with the great-grandkids for hours on end doing the most mundane things.  That even a short visit is better than none and to appreciate time.  From my mother-in-law, Lucille, how large families love big gatherings.  I can still remember being the new girlfriend and meeting everyone at Auntie Connie's on Palm Sunday.  I love big parties and even better if I am hosting! 

    Watching my daughter, Megan, be a mom to Brianna is heartwarming and makes me so proud.   Watching her teach Brianna about love and life is humbling.  Listening to Kevin and Isis (I get another daughter!!) making their wedding plans and life plans is exciting and I know they will succeed together in their dreams!  And Scott who just accepted his first adult job position - way to go!  

    Love you all!