"It takes a village to raise a child." African proverb
As I teacher I know just how true this sentiment is. Amazing parents can give children a wonderful start in life, but because we are all so interconnected, sometimes it takes more than just one or two adults looking out for the best interests of that kiddo. A teacher, a coach, a friend's parents, aunts and uncles - they can all be incredibly significant as we stumble through the world and forge our own path. I am thankful I had so many guides, but I am also thankful for the guide I have had for ever - my Mom.
She can drive me crazy (what daughter hasn't said that?) and I sometimes want to be a parent to her which I am sure she loves, but my Mom is a forever part of me. I am a (soon to be) 34 year old woman and even now when I am sick, I just want my Mommy. When she still calls me her baby girl, I get wistful. When she tells me I was her best birthday present (we are 22 years apart - almost to the hour), I feel such love. When she tells me to clean my house, I want to say "I am a grown woman and I pay my own mortgage!" but mostly I just say "Yea, I know Mom. You are right." When she begins with the newest home improvement plan for my house I want to finish the current one, but I am secretly happy I have her to help me plan things like my strawberry patch and a place for the irises that are descendants from ones that bloomed in my Great-Great-Grandma's garden in Jennings.
I have been fortunate enough to have my Mom and many other "villagers" who have provide me with so much. From my first bath, my Grandma Delaney has always been close by, teaching me the joys of coupons and Skip Bo. Though she was taken when I was only 14, my Grandma Brooks taught me how the power of the written word, the musical genius of Abba and The Oak Ridge Boys, and an eternal olfactory memory of her smell - a combination of Oil of Olay, her lipstick, and just a hint of bourbon. When I was student teaching and I needed a place to stay, Bridget and Steve Rubin let me have a room in the basement. I am the red-headed step child and I feel honored that I get to be even a small part of this amazing family.
It brings me such joy to see my amazing friends continue this tradition of loving motherhood. Knowing these amazing women as they have gone through teen angst in high school, making life decisions in college, and starting a life with someone else has shown me how a wonderful friend makes an amazing mother. I am in awe of Danielle Johnson's ability to balance her teaching career, doctoral pursuit, and loving both Avery and Tessa unconditionally. And she'll need to keep that endless pursuit of energy going as she gets ready for baby #3 in November. I got teary when I watched Jayme Pingrey's Critical Literacy project which was a video of her 4 year old Corrine reading her favorite book I Love You Through and Through. The memories she has captured for Corrine are truly amazing. I have gotten teary eyed as I meet Helen Porter's beautiful baby girl Lucy and relished getting daily Lucy pictures on facebook. As I watch Adrienne Almeida - my travel companion from Hawaii, Thailand, and Cambodia - embark on her first year of motherhood I am amazed at how much love her sweet Nayla has brought to her life. I have watched Katie Cox fall in love with a new man - Michael, her 6 week old son. I eagerly anticipate the birth of Carolyn Chipley-Foster's baby girl in a few weeks and I can't wait to share in her joy. I marveled at the miracle of Parker Deken's birth almost 2 years ago while I sat in awe of how calmly and beautifully Liz recovered from weeks of bed rest and revelled in the beauty of her little man. After welcoming them to the family last year, I am so proud of the bravery and dedication my sister-in-law Misty has shown in raising my 11 year old nephew Maverick. If I am fortunate enough to become a mother, I know I have an amazing set of women to look to as role models.
For all of the mother figures in my life, for all of my friends who I have watched lovingly care for their amazing children - I wish you a day where you can truly understand how much you mean. But most especially - I hope my dear friend Stacy Dahm enjoys her wonderful children - birthday girl Allison who just turned 3 and baby Ashley who is just over 6 weeks old. Stacy and her two sister lost their mother Jeannie last summer and Mother's Day will be bitter sweet, I am sure. We know that Jeannie is smiling down at the new baby in the family - Ashley Jean - and feeling proud of the wonderful daughters she raised.
I sometimes too think of my Dad on Mother's Day. One of his favorite authors is Lewis Grizzard who had a book entitled Call Your Mother - I Wish I Could. Hallmark may have invented the holiday to sell cards, but Mother's Day is truly a needed reminder of the blessings we currently have, and a time to remember the love we received from those who are no longer with us.
