Happy Mother’s Day, Mom

I walk through the door, drop my school books on a chair, and am greeted by a smiling woman, seated at her sewing machine, singing a made up song to ask about my day and tell me about hers. That’s my mom. I’m so fortunate to have her in my life. Despite chronic pain from fibromyalgia, and years of suffering from back pain and migraines, she has taught me that you can choose to smile, choose to be positive regardless of circumstances.

That photo of her is from about 1998, when my daughter Natalie was little. My mom would often bring her sewing machine with her when she came for visits. Whether she was mending odds and ends of ours or working on a new creation for Natalie, I loved to see her sew. Over the years she’s made Natalie a closet full of dresses and nightgowns, many with matching ones for her favorite doll. Most of them were fun, frothy, gorgeous creations that took lots of time and were practically works of art. One dress I really loved was one she modeled after a dress that the character Truly Scrumptious wore in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She and my daughter loved to watch that together, and when Natalie said she wanted a dress like Truly’s, Mom took the video cover home with her, and went to work planning. The dress was amazing. Natalie wore it for dress up so much that she practically wore it out.

The picture of Mom at right really sums her up to me (and Natalie's wearing a nightgown Mom made, which had a matching one for Natalie's doll, also pictured). While it may not be the most flattering photo of her I could have chosen (sorry, Mom!) it says so much. She was obviously playing with Natalie, who was acting as supreme ruler or princess or queen, or whatever they came up with that day. That alone says a lot. My mom always took the time to play with her grandchildren. She seemed to truly enjoy the games, role playing, tea parties, and anything else they’d dream up. And in this photo, Mom is serving her ladyship. And that’s my mom - always serving others. I think she learned some of that from her own mother. My Grandma McAfee sacrificed so much for her family. You can read more about her here if you like.

Some of my memories of doing things with my mom are from when I was very small. I think I really relished the time I had her to myself, when my older brothers were both in school and I hadn’t yet started kindergarten. We could just be doing simple things like going to the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment, but I enjoyed the time. And I’m thankful that she’s spent so much time with Natalie, despite the distance. Often when Natalie was little and I had to travel for work, Mom would come lend a hand. Natalie looked forward to these times so much that she once asked me, “When are you going on a trip again?” and when I asked why, she said, “Because I want Grandma to come!” In the photo at left, Natalie's wearing another dress Mom made, and Mom is wearing a dress Natalie selected for her to wear to a living room tea party.

We haven’t spent as much time together over the past few years. Life gets busy with activities, work, etc. and makes it more of a challenge for us each to make the 250 mile drive more than a couple times a year. I love how my mom has adapted to this by joining facebook and learning to use twitter (you can find her as @grannyanita) so she can keep up on my daughter's and my activities from afar. How many moms will step out of their comfort zone like that, just to stay in touch?

Thankfully, soon it will be much easier. My parents have decided to sell their home and move to Kansas City to be closer to us, and so I can be there for them as health issues demand in coming years. So while I don’t want to wish time away, I look forward to next Mother’s Day, when we can celebrate together, right here at home.

Thank you Mom for more things than I can put into words. I love you, I love who you are, and I’m grateful to have you in my life.