As I sit here this morning with my four-legged kids and a cup of coffee, I realized how different this Mother's Day is in comparison to those of past. Mainly, Tessa is not here. We will be joining her in a few days to celebrate her graduation from Villanova. I am beyond thrilled! but this is the first Mother's Day morning that I have woken up to and not had my entire family with me. Deep down, I know that as the kids continue to grow, succeed, and carve out lives of their own, there will be fewer and fewer Mother's Days that I wake up to having my children here for breakfast. On one hand, that makes me quite misty, but on the other hand, I am so grateful for the miracle of having been able to celebrate 22 Mother's Days.
I addition to being so grateful, I am really proud, too. Because isn't that the main goal of being a mother? To raise our kids to be strong, determined people that embrace leaving the nest and flying on their own? I love the people my kids have grown up to be. They are brilliant 'old souls'. I call them that because they have experienced so much in their lives already, and those experiences have grounded them and taught them lessons that many people my age haven't even learned yet. I so want to be like them when I grow up!
Our family has been through a lot these past few years. My continuing health battles, a loss of a longtime job and most recently, moving. Through it all, Tessa balanced a busy college life, with coming home and of being an incredible support to me. Torrie kept beautiful grades, excelled at sports and got into the college of his choice. They are amazing people that are able to handle so much. I have no doubt of their successes in the future.
I still have every handmade card the kids gave me. I still have every store bought one, too! I look at them and think of the time and effort that was put into them whether they were crafting them themselves, or picking out the perfect one at the store. They all have handwritten words that I will always cherish. One of my most favorite memories of Mother's Day in the past is that of the wooden pins that say 'Mom' on them that each of them made in kindergarten. One is a watering can, the other a lady bug. Each year, I would alternate which one I would wear to church, and the kids never let me forget which one I had worn the year before. I continued to do this, all the way to high school. the kids rolled their eyes, but deep down I think they really liked it. My pins are still in my jewelry chest. I'm toying with the idea of wearing Tessa's to graduation next weekend.
So I am filled with happy thoughts and memories today, as I hope that all of my friends that are mothers are, too. My heart is sad for mothers I know, that have lost a child and I pray for them for peace and comfort today.
Above all, I thank God for the miracles that He has given me that have allowed me to live this long and to raise my children to be wonderful adults.
Namaste,
Kim
