Mom.
Is there really a more soothing one-syllable word in our language? Not really sure what the ‘role’ of a mom is, by design, anyway. Who could ever write ‘the manual’ describing what a mom should be, or what is required? And yet, so many are so good at it. I’ve known many ‘moms’ in my life and two will stand out above the rest in my eyes, for as long as I live.
The first, is my own children’s mom. If you are not new to reading this column, you have heard me say before how lucky my kids are to have such a mom as Jill has been, and continues to be. Life comes to everyone and we have seen much and also been vocal on some things like our kids living with diabetes, and many other things we have kept to ourselves. Continuing through what life throws at you is not easy and Jill has made it as much an art form as a survival technique. And all the while, our kids knew nothing more than a wonderful and nurturing environment.
Not easy. From school involvement, to caring for them, to being their best diabetes educator, to being their confidante, to being strong, to being soft, to hugging, to wiping tears, our kids had it as good as it gets when it comes to mom.
This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. And, truthfully, it hurts. Mom demanded the best out of each of us and also taught us to fight for ourselves when needed. Her three daughters as well as her three sons. Equality was not a word in our house, it was a way of life of which we knew no other.
My mom was strong, funny, smart, up-do-date, and wise. She was so wise. Her advice was not always what we wanted to hear, but it was usually pretty spot-on. She, too, had seen her days of pain and hurt, and she too stayed strong knowing that life always moves on.
The scales of mom’s life had everything on one side of the scale in living to be over 90, having six kids, 23 grand children, 18 great-grandchildren, traveling the world, had a successful career, she died very quickly and not a long illness, and yet, the scales are outweighed and tipped by the one fact; she is gone.
When mom left, I was comforted by the fact that nothing was left unsaid between us. We always ended our calls, which were many, the same way; “I love you son.” “I love you too Moo-Moo”. I was lucky to have such a mom as the one I had.
I miss her.
Make sure you do something special for your mom this Mother’s Day (and every day for that matter). I can tell you from experience, the hole left behind is great heading into mother’s day without someone you loved for 60 years, and who loved you back unconditionally, just because she’s your mom.
Happy Mother’s Day Moo-moo.
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