"All women become like their mothers.
That is their tragedy.
No man does.
That is his."
- Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Each year that goes by, I feel like I'm turning more and more into my mother. If you know my mom, you would understand why I feel like I'm bragging when I say that. My mom is beautiful, sweet, smart and completely devoted to her family. I know I'm not as beautiful and certainly not as sweet as she is but I hope that I have inherited some of her mothering abilities.
So much of the time, I feel like the good-enough mom. I don't do crafts with my kids, I don't read Parenting magazine (I can't stand it!) and I never make food into funny shapes. I rarely get down on the floor and play with my kids, I haul them to the mall too much and buy them soft pretzels to keep them happy. I yell too much.
But you know what? My mom never made crafts with us either. She dragged us to the mall and she even yelled at us now and then. But she is the best mom in the world because I knew how much she loved me. She took me shopping by myself (I have no idea where my siblings were) and bought me Girbaud jeans because they were in style and I had to have them. She let me stay home from school even when she knew I wasn't sick because I didn't have my homework done. She stayed up late helping me to make the coolest Valentines box or the most scary pumpkin for the Halloween contest. She was always coming to school in her sweaty work-out clothes to bring me my lunch or my homework that I forgot. She took me with her and her friends to see concerts like Michael Bolton and Stevie Wonder!
Remember that scene in the Ya Ya Sisterhood, where the little girl chickens out and doesn't ride in the plane when all the other kids are doing it? Then later in the day, after they have come home, the little girl decides she just has to ride in the plane. Her mom drives her back to where the plane is. She has to beg and plead and pay the pilot to take her daughter back up again. I cry everytime I watch that part of the movie because it reminds me of my mom. She constantly did stuff like that for us.
The one thing I do everyday is tell my kids that I love them and kiss and hug and snuggle them. I'm lucky--because I have three kids who all love to snuggle with me. They know I love them and really, that is all I care about.
Happy Mother's Day Mom! You taught me what really matters when it comes to being a mom. You're the best and I hope your day is perfect!
That is their tragedy.
No man does.
That is his."
- Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Each year that goes by, I feel like I'm turning more and more into my mother. If you know my mom, you would understand why I feel like I'm bragging when I say that. My mom is beautiful, sweet, smart and completely devoted to her family. I know I'm not as beautiful and certainly not as sweet as she is but I hope that I have inherited some of her mothering abilities.
So much of the time, I feel like the good-enough mom. I don't do crafts with my kids, I don't read Parenting magazine (I can't stand it!) and I never make food into funny shapes. I rarely get down on the floor and play with my kids, I haul them to the mall too much and buy them soft pretzels to keep them happy. I yell too much.
But you know what? My mom never made crafts with us either. She dragged us to the mall and she even yelled at us now and then. But she is the best mom in the world because I knew how much she loved me. She took me shopping by myself (I have no idea where my siblings were) and bought me Girbaud jeans because they were in style and I had to have them. She let me stay home from school even when she knew I wasn't sick because I didn't have my homework done. She stayed up late helping me to make the coolest Valentines box or the most scary pumpkin for the Halloween contest. She was always coming to school in her sweaty work-out clothes to bring me my lunch or my homework that I forgot. She took me with her and her friends to see concerts like Michael Bolton and Stevie Wonder!
Remember that scene in the Ya Ya Sisterhood, where the little girl chickens out and doesn't ride in the plane when all the other kids are doing it? Then later in the day, after they have come home, the little girl decides she just has to ride in the plane. Her mom drives her back to where the plane is. She has to beg and plead and pay the pilot to take her daughter back up again. I cry everytime I watch that part of the movie because it reminds me of my mom. She constantly did stuff like that for us.
The one thing I do everyday is tell my kids that I love them and kiss and hug and snuggle them. I'm lucky--because I have three kids who all love to snuggle with me. They know I love them and really, that is all I care about.
Happy Mother's Day Mom! You taught me what really matters when it comes to being a mom. You're the best and I hope your day is perfect!
10 comments:
Thanks for showing me up again! This was great and everything was true about Mom. That part in Ya Ya Sisterhood totally reminds me of Mom too and I love it. I love the bit about her showing up at school all sweaty after Jazzercise--so classic. The point is she was there, backing us up and doing things for us--she was always there--a wonderful given that I took for granted and relied on and loved--during childhood and still.
You and Ashley are so your mom, which is a great compliment. She's so fun!
I love reading about your mom. What a wonderful role model you guys have!
If you're anything like your mom (and I know you are) you're an amazing mom! Happy Mother's Day Aunt Linda!
I 100% agree...YOU ARE EXACTLY LIKE LINDA...and YES, that is a HUGE compliment.
Ohmygosh!! What a wonderful (belated- I just read it) Mother's Day gift!! I don't deserve it, but THANK YOU BROOKE!! And Ashley, Liz, Alexandra, Amy & Kimmie! I think you are all amazing mothers - way better than I was!
THANKS AGAIN!!
(sorry about the sweaty workout clothes!)
I remember watching your mom care for Rex when he was an infant. Her love for him was almost tangible. I learned a great deal from watching her. She is deserving of every compliment and you would do well to work towards being just like her.
Happy Mother's Day, Linda!
This is such a great post! I remember that scene from The Ya Ya Sisterhood and think it's great, though I fear I'd be the kind of mom who would say, "You should have taken advantage of the opportunity the first time!" (I'm hanging my head in shame.)
Nice tribute Brooke! Happy Mother's Day to you!
And Amen to your post from me. Your mom is amazing! However, you don't give yourself enough credit. Stan and I were looking at old photos the other day and you could be your moms twin!
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