I am knee-deep in the age at which I thought my mother knew everything.
I remember how much I wanted to be her someday.
Parting seas for my children, leading them through the toughest of paths.
Of course she had a map and life preservers, a perfectly stocked first aid kit and the most comfortable places for us to land.
I asked her every question that ever tickled my brain and she answered, with unwavering confidence.
Through the twinkling eyes of my childhood, she new all.
And now, as I wade through the questions my children ask, the boo-boos and hiccups of their little lives, I try to do the same.
I offer answers to everything from when will it rain? to where should I put my back pack after lunch?
And it occurs to me,
I really have no idea.
But I answer them anyway.
I tell them it will stop raining after dinner and to leave the backpack in the corner and their waiting faces relax, content once again.
I hold their hands through quivering lips and skinned knees and lullaby-away nighttime fears, hoping that I am keeping us all afloat.
And it is now that I have figured it out.
There is a chance she didn’t know it all either, that she stumbled through our questions and held the map of motherhood upside down once in a while.
But through the waves of childhood we all thought her the perfect captain.
And I still call to her over my shoulder each day, in an effort to right my ship.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and all of the amazing moms out there.
and p.s. if you know someone out there who has suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth or neonatal loss and is left with empty arms this Mother’s Day, make sure you let her know that you are thinking of her today, and that she is still a mommy, whether her children are here to tell her so or not.
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What a wonderful Mother’s Day post. Hope you had a great day 🙂
Completely right on. I love that first sentance.
Wait, my mom didn’t know everything?!
Beautiful post, as usual. I hope you had a lovely mothers day.
What a wonderful loving look at your mom and what’s she’s brought into your own mom style. Beautiful!
I love this tribute to your mom! The words just flowed.
Happy mothers day a day late.
What a beautiful post to your mom. I hope you both had an excellent mother’s day.
I love this post.So sweet and true.
Happy Mother’s Day to you!! What a stunning tribute!
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful mother. She really did know all the right answers, she still does. Happy Mother’s Day to you Jessica, you’re an amazing mom too!
Happy Mother’s Day Jess!! <3
Happy Mother’s Day Jill! xo
This is beautiful Jessica. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
Lynn
I hope someday to also be remembered by my children as their “perfect captain.” (Although I know I am not perfect!) Isn’t it amazing to be able to look back at our childhood through both a child’s eyes and a mother’s eyes now? It opens a whole new outlook on things. Great Post! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Such a beautiful post. Happy Mother’s Day sweet friend. xo
What a lovely Mothers Day post. Happy Mothers Day to you, my friend!
What a beautiful post. And so very true. Happy Mothers Day to you Xoxo
What a beautiful post. I wonder this same thing as well – how did my mom know all those answers. I’m stumped at dino questions each and every day! 😉 Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Happy Mother’s Day my beautiful friend! I feel so honored to know such an amazing, inspiring, and yes- STRONG Mama like you! XO
Happy Mother’s Day to you!!
I was just thinking this very thing the other day when I dropped my daughter off at daycare. She started to cry and I stayed strong, told her it would be okay, showed her I was confident in her abilities to be without me. I walked away and once I reached my car collapsed into myself. I cried and cried.
Then I thought if my mom
All those years she dropped us off at the sitters. How strong she was, telling us we were fine and we wouldn’t miss her five minutes after she was gone.
How often did she go to her car and cry?
So true and lucky for us, our kids will think we are strong and know it all too. Happy Mother’s Day Leighann.
Happy Mother’s Day Alison!
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing. It does make you realize all the questions or times that you thought your mom knew what to do, and she was just trying to figure it all out herself. 🙂 Sending Mother’s Day wishes your way. ((Hugs))
Hoping your Mother’s Day is as good as it can be Alissa. Thinking of you today!
Thanks Jessica, I loved this post. And yes, the secrets out…I didn’t know it all, still don’t, never will. But us moms, what a lot of power we hold in our hands and in our words when our children are young. Love you, have a beautiful Mothers Day.