Mothers and Daughters

My thoughts have been turning to the ongoing relationships between a mother and her daughter . . . especially now, that my daughters are moms.

Is there anything like raising a child, that shows the lapse of time more clearly? A mother begins her relationship with her daughter feeling like she's her baby forever . . . cherishing the first  "mum-mum" and smiles to arms outstretched for her as a toddler.

From the day she brings her child home from the hospital, her life is a life selfless giving . . . maybe, for the first time, loving another more than her own life, by the sacrifices she makes.



She hopes and believes for the best in her . . . cherishing, if only, a contented nod.



Playing games and reading stories . . . the same ones over and over. The routines feel solidified . . . until one day her little girl dances off to school because she's convinced her that she'll love it.



In the meantime . . . her heart skips a few beats and she's counting the hours for school to end.

The years, they pass quickly . . . celebrations come and go with pride in the things that she's accomplished. Birthday cakes, French braids, first recital, back to school shopping, after school snacks. It's all good . . . yet, like reaching into a cookie jar, she's always reaching for more.
And one day. . . her heart skips a few more beats, when she realizes her little girl is not little any more.

Late night talks, braces, growing pains, driving lessons, misunderstandings, teachable moments . . . these years are busy and she learns that busy days fly! Soon there's talk about college. It's wonderful . . .  yet her heart threatens to stop . . . as she helps her settle in, hoping she's taught her well.

I was there last weekend, watching as my sister waved goodbye to her daughter . . . I felt the unspoken emotions as she proceeded to hold it all together. Life is precious . . . we give them life and one day we let them go . . . at least that's what they say. That's how it seems.

But in reality . . . you never really let go. You support, you pray. You let her go about her life . . . you let her be who she is meant to be, sometimes with grace, sometimes not.
And one day . . . your heart beats an extra beat or two . . . when you realize she'll always be your daughter . . . your best friend in many ways.

Today I look back on the relationship with my own mom and realize that a mother continues to be your lifelong cheerleader. She accepts you as you are and loves you unconditionally. It is this kind of love that, in the end finds out that by letting go, she gains . . . a relationship that keeps on growing.

 

I say these things today to you Jules, Kristal and Kari . . . to encourage you to enjoy each step and never fear the future. I'm so proud of the moms you are! Your loss of sleep and time invested is surely not in vain. I am observing and learning so much from you and I'm thankful for the privilege of being your mom . . . and know that I always will be.