When I first became a mother, I think the biggest surprise was the new perspective on my own mom and her experiences. How could I not? I was responsible for a tiny human being, and I was a MESS. No book or class prepared me for the all night nursing marathons and endless doubts. Luckily, my mom was living close by and guiding me all the way. She even laughed in horror with me the first time my son showed me a real diaper explosion. I got lucky. She never pushed her ideas of parenting on me. She relished the new role of Grandma, cuddling, bringing food to a tired family, and just loving on our family.
As Mother’s Day sneaks up on us, it’s apparent in our family that there’s a bit of a competition about who gets the rights to be THE Mother on Mother Day. We’ve got three generations of moms in our family, and sometimes the Mom in the middle gets lost in shuffle. I spent a few years thinking that I should be the one celebrated on this holiday, since I was the ‘newest’ to be called mom. These past few years, our family suffered through a few Mother’s Day while my daughter was in the hospital, getting treatment for neuroblastoma. Those were rough holidays for me. I felt sorry for myself. I felt jaded, as if some type of experience was getting taken from me. And in a way, I guess it was. But, my mom (and my family) stepped up and tried to make those days a bit salvageable.
So, in reality, I thought this year I should think a little more about my mom on Mother’s Day, and a little less about myself. I nominated my mom for the KROC Share the Kindness Award – and she was picked! We know at my house that sometimes Grandma is the real MVP – the strong rock that holds our multi generations together quietly, behind the scenes. And I love her for it. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
