a message to moms
i have had the abundant privilege of becoming a mommy in two very different ways. my oldest daughter, Jasmine, came to me when she was four years old. i remember the first day i saw her as vividly as if it were only moments ago (she is 26 now). i had just taken the position as director of a child care center. the previous director was taking me through the center to show me around. it was nap-time. there lying on a little mat, was the most adorable little girl i had ever seen. she was all curled up on her side, blonde curls surrounding her angelic little porcelain face. she had two fingers in her mouth, sucking away, and one crammed all the way up her nose. 
it was love at first sight. thankfully, i fell in love just as quickly with her daddy (yes, he was single, and we were engaged only 9 days after our first date!)
Caitlyn came along three years later. to say i was excited about being pregnant is the understatement of the world! i immediately started wearing maternity clothes and patting my belly. i was blessed with a wonderful pregnancy and not-nearly-as-scary-as-everyone-said delivery.
on the day Caitlyn was born - February 10th, 1990 - we went from a very stormy night and rainy morning to beautiful sunshine and unusually warm temperatures. she has been my “sunshine girl” ever since. She is not only beautiful and incredibly intelligent, she is deeply committed to making the world a better place. from the time she was a toddler, to now, away at college, Caitlyn has been a very deep thinker, bringing conversations to light that have illuminated our consciousness. she is creative and talented in ways that continue to surprise and inspire me.
both my daughters have qualities that i admire. they are both strong, independent, amazingly smart women. they are quirky and moody and funny and compassionate. it is an absolute joy to spend time with them. i not only love them dearly, but i really, really like them. they are great friends.
so, my message to moms?
don’t take a single moment for granted. answer the questions they ask - every single one of them, even if, at the time they seem like a silly, little question in the grocery store line. if you don’t know the answer, be honest, and tell them that. believe in them. all the time. love them. all the time. tell them how you sincerely feel, but also know when it is best to be quiet and just let them figure things out for themselves. admit you make mistakes. often. celebrate their uniqueness. do unexpected things to make life interesting. remember. always remember! and know when it’s best to forget. let it go. love them for the people they are, not who you expect them to be or who you wish you were. hold their hands. skip. blow bubbles. make cupcakes. fly kites. show them what you are truly passionate about and share it with them. don’t judge them if they don’t share the same passions. help them discover their own fire and fuel it with love and encouragement. sing. a lot. make up songs, but really, sing! laugh. a lot. cry. make memories that are worth sharing with your grandchildren. wish on stars. eat ice cream straight out of the carton with big spoons. hug them. hold them. let them go. yep, that’s the hardest part of all.
i love you both - always, forever, and then some!
wishing my Sunshine Girl the most spectacular 19th birthday! may this year be filled with love that’s overflowing, unexpected, happy adventures, and the never-ending knowledge that you make a difference in the world!
Recent Comments