Tuesday, December 2, 2008

P is for Mom

This is my mom.
She is available to me at ALL times. I gratefully take advantage of that.
Her mother died at the age of 44.
She was not able to see her daughter (my mom) graduate from high school, earn a nursing degree, swim on the Simmons College syncronized swimming team, get married, move bravely across country (more than once) or have children.
Not only has my mother been at my side to witness these important milestones in MY life, but I have needed her. I have wanted to call her often and ask for advice, cry on her shoulder or complain in her ear. She has come over to my house to nurse me when I'm sick or recovering from child birth or to help me clean. She also comes to bring and prepare food. She knows I'm not an afficianado of ironing, and she'll sniff out those wrinkly shirts and press them into perfection. She launders, encourages the grandchildren to finger paint (while barefoot and on the kitchen floor) and also sponsors the stringing and toilet papering of master bedrooms while the masters are away. She is very fun and silly like this. She's like a frat party in practical shoes. And without the keg. She's figured out things about life that help me cope.
I appreciate VERY much how hard it must have been for this lovely lady to hit and pass all of these same life altering and significant events in HER day without a mother. Especially the hard days that aren't so significant, but surely came anyway. And probably often. As a matter of fact, I'm sure I did my share of contributing to those days.
I am 44.
I think about what's ahead in my life, and eagerly anticipate it.
I am looking forward to seeing our first child graduate, and move on to different important and not so important days in his life. Ditto for our other children. I want to be the voice, the shoulder, the ear, the arms bearing food and offering hugs, like she is for me.
Mom, thanks for cheering me on, lifting me up, and putting me in my place.
The P is for
pretty,
pioneer,
practical,
precocious
and queen of parades to Pretoria.
Perfection.
Priscilla.
I just have to say it.
I am grateful to be on the road to good things.
And to recognize it.
And even more so to have you walking it with me.

9 comments:

LL said...

very sweet! she is an amazing lady.

Jane said...

Moms are the best! Mine has been here all week with me. I feel the same way you do. We are so lucky!!

Jo Jo said...

I called Mom and read it over the phone to her and had a needed cry. Thanks for writing what I should be thinking. P is for perfect.

Becky said...

Amen to both of my sisters. I too love this lady, she is my hero. :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Jenny. It made me think back to several days when I wanted my mom.
The first was as a Freshman in College...having a hard time and no close friends.
The second when I was first married.
The third when we were in Colorado.
Life is filled with challenges and a friend by your side...moms can be friends, but they usually will tell you just how it is with "no spin".

I am the one who is to be so blessed to have such beautiful daughters and sons.
Thank you
mom

ellen said...

Nice tribute!

ChefTom said...

I too am a member of the P fan club. I still hear her voice and her advice these 20 years later and she is always right, whether I wanted her to be or not.

So for me P is for Predicaments that I avoided by listening to P.

shirlgirl said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Mom and my sister-in-law. My Mom died at the age of 73, and I was 40She was the best cook, best pie maker, beautiful seamstress, and a wonderful lady. She taught me how to sew, cook, bake, knit, crochet. I was not blessed with the patience she had in her sewing. She would rip things out four or five times until it was right. When I was younger, I didn't have the patience for that. Now, I will because I want things to be done right, not half done. She taught me a good lesson. I still miss her. She was there for my graduation from high school and secretarial school, but not for my wedding to your uncle. My aunt, her "baby" sister, stood in for my Mom, and now she is gone.

Marilyn said...

You are so blessed to have such a great mom and such a great daughter to recognize and appreciate it.