I’ve been away for a while. Not physically, just mentally. I finished a few WIPs (yea!), and am trying to get some things in order. A thread about the women in our lives sprouted up online, and has spawned several side conversations that I feel the need to talk about.
I am one of the fortunate few, apparently. My mother has always been wonderful. I had both of my grandmothers in my life on a daily basis until I left home. I was close to many of my aunts. I have even been blessed with two mothers-in-law who treated me like a daughter.
My mother attended every band concert, school play, athletic event, and conference there was. Perhaps I didn’t appreciate the effort at the time. Or more accurately, I took it for granted. I thought all mothers were like that. She would be doing the same for her grandchildren now, except we have all scattered across the country. She is in her 70s, and is easily a day’s drive from my sister and me (opposite directions), and a couple of hours from my brother. It kills her not to be there for any event. I think of this when I read of people who complain that their mothers or grandmothers or mothers-in-law can’t be bothered to drive across town to spend time with their children. Of course, there are two sides to every story, and I often hear only one. But it always makes me grateful that I have a drama-free family. No one is feuding or playing a passive aggressive game. We like each other. We would spend more time together if we could.
I don’t know what else to say other than I wish this for all people.
My mother (standing) and her siblings at my folks’ 50th wedding anniversary.
PS…My dad is awesome, too. He didn’t get to attend a lot of stuff because he was a farmer, and as anyone who grew up on a farm knows, when the farm calls, everything else waits. He can build a tractor out of baling wire and duct tape, though. He was McGyver way before his time. :)
PSS…Happy Birthday, Mom!
