Mother’s Day, MY day!

It’s always been one of the most special “hallmark” holidays.  I’ve celebrated it for over 30 years (yes, yes, I’ve just aged myself)…

but Mother’s Day took on a whole new meaning for me this year.  It was my first Mother’s Day.

And I LOVE this holiday.  I think it may be one of my top 3 favorite holidays.

Noooo, it’s not because I get spoiled and pampered (okay, it is a little bit) but mostly it’s because it really does have new meaning for me this year.  Of course, part of it has to do with Malia.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that any one person could have such a profound effect on me.  I always thought I knew and understood what unconditional love meant….but nothing before this comes close to what she is and what she means to my life.

And that’s saying alot because I’ve always loved very honestly, openly and fully.  I’ve always been surrounded by very good and genuine people.

But loving her brings tears to my eyes on an almost daily basis….tears of joy; tears of fear; tears of love.

Granted, I’m a natural sap anyway so even envisioning her next milestone can get me teary-eyed.  Shoot, just the other day she put her pacifier in her mouth on her own for the first time and I nearly cried at the joy of seeing it.  Yeah – I’m that kind of a sap!!

But more than anything, she’s taught me to value motherhood in a way that I’ve taken for granted.

I love my mom.  And I am incredibly fortunate to have a best friend in her.  I enjoy her company and value her wisdom.  But until I had Malia, I never knew how much my mom truly loved me.  Malia taught me to understand the depth of a mother’s love.

There is nothing I wouldn’t do or give to my little girl.  And there is no one in this world that can cut and hurt me the way she can.  The thought of her pain drives me crazy.  The thought of her anger fills me with dread.

Oh yes, I do fear her teenage years because I know how girls can talk back.  I was a teenager once. 

And just that thought makes me regret every snapping retort I’ve thrown my mom’s way.  At 3 months old, Malia has taught me patience and forgiveness.  She’s taught me to love my mom the way she deserves to be loved.  My mom has given me everything she can to make my dreams come true and to make my life better.  Every pain I’ve felt in life has been a pain in hers.  Every one of my joys is another one of her dreams come true.

She’s spent her entire life giving me love – and now all I want to do is give it all back to her.

When she repeats herself, I just let her and I listen…and I answer her again.
When she gives me advice, I don’t laugh at it.  Like it or not, she’s always been right.
When she’s in town, there’s never enough time or too little for us to do.  Her companionship is as much of a joy as Malia’s is to me.  No way will I cut that short.
I’ll buy her anything she wants because there’s no way I can ever pay her back for every penny she’s spent on me.
And I’ll tell her as often as I can how much I love her because I know that hearing Malia say it to me would make my day any day.

This was an absolutely fabulous Mother’s Day!
I pray to God that my kids will always love and value our relationship….and that I’ll always be one of their favorites.

and I thank Malia every second for teaching me what it is to be a mother.  It is the best job, best role I’ve ever had in life.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom….and to all moms out there!  You are all great!!!