Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, step-moms, foster mom, dads playing mom, aunties…you get the picture.

When I sat down to write this post, I was gonna talk about how my mom always asks me if I sent my sisters cards for Mother’s Day and how I struggle picking out a card for her every year. I don’t know why she asks about cards for Big Sis 1 & 2 – they didn’t raise me. She also asks that question about one of my brother’s on Father’s Day (she only asks about one brother although there are 6 of them & all of them are fathers & the one she asks about happens to have been the last of the 6 to become a father. Go figure.). I did send him a card the first year he was a dad. But like with my sisters, he didn’t raise me so why? Anywho, I do struggle with picking out a card. My mom & I have a good relationship – it isn’t as close as it used to be although I’m not sure my mom realizes that. Funny how it the relationship seemed to lessen once i was grown. When I was in high school & college, I told my mom almost everything. Ok, so there wasn’t a lot to tell. Whateva.

As I was sitting here mulling over this post, I realized that regardless of what my mom may/may not have done, I turned out ok. I tell myself that she did the best she knew how & that when she knew better, she did better. And while she may not have known any better, I’m wiser now so, I can choose to wallow in having grown up (insert your choice of adjective here: poor, without, hard, etc.) or I can embrace the fact that I GREW UP. It’s all about where I choose to put the emphasis. And today? I’m putting the emphasis on the fact that I grew up, that my mom loves her kids, and that I was blessed to have a village of people who assisted in that growth process. No matter what may/may not have been done, I’m a good person. And that is largely due to my mom…along with my grandparents (who did raise me until I was about 6), and the rest of the larger village.

I am blessed. My mom is still living so whatever differences we have, real or imagined, I can work through them with her, work through on my own or simply choose to live above them. My mom will be 72 in July – all of her children are alive and healthy as is she; she’s actually a lot healthier than folks half her age. She manages to spoil each and every one of us in unique ways. Grandkids too. Trust – she gets it back…in multiples. And no matter what – I love her.

You know what sealed the deal for me, made me decide to let it go? Watching graduation preparations at Vir.ginia Tech this week. There are 33 mothers who won’t get a card, who won’t get a phone call, who won’t have a silly gift to complain about or exchange, who won’t have a meal with their child on Mother’s Day…or ever again. I can’t imagine much in life that’s harder than that.

I’m sealing my mom’s card with a kiss.

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Live DELICIOUSLY!
~ J ~