I felt like Mama Duck w/ my ducklings in tow. I wanted to make sure Mackenzie knew the county roads better b/w our house and her job so she and Maddy followed me in her car. It's important for a mother to teach her babies as much as she can about everything she can. I guess God felt Mom had taught me all she could.
When I was a child, she taught me how to love. When I was a teenager, she taught me how to take care of myself. When I became a wife, she taught me how to take care of a home and love my husband. I remember on the eve of my first wedding night (I was married before when I was 20), she said to me that she felt she needed to give me some words of advice but the only thing that came to her was, "Don't leave hair in the bathroom sink." Okay, maybe she didn't teach me a lot w/ that one, but I learned more by watching. I watched her set-up monthly budgets so when I was newly married, I could pinch pennies too. When I became newly divorced those budgeting tips definitely came in handy. Mom was never divorced, so I was in uncharted territory there, but by then she'd given me the confidence needed to face anything. She was my biggest fan. Thanks to her I was able to be a full-time student and a full-time worker w/ another part-time job to make ends meet. When I became a mom, she taught me how to wash cloth diapers and calm a fussy baby and how to play w/ my kids. She knew it was important to let me make my own decisions and my own mistakes. I'm working hard on this one, Mom.
When I become a grandma and great-grandmother, I'll reflect on how she spoiled and doted on her grandchildren, never forgetting a birthday; always making every visit feel like we were the most important people in the world; cooking family dinners that would put five-star restaurants to shame; traveling hundreds of miles just to watch 10 minutes of dancing or singing; and reading.....lots and lots of reading. I wish I could say I'll be a grandmother who will sew baby clothes and pajamas, but Mom's sewing lessons never took w/ me. When it comes time for me to leave this world, I'll remember how she left on her terms despite the ravages of cancer and pneumonia. She taught me to face death the same way I face life: w/ courage, dignity, and peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment