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.