My daughter is home from college for winter break. I am delighted. And even more so because she offered to guest post! Here is her first. Hopefully there will be more.
No, this is not the most creative post idea. No, I am not finding life lessons in last weekβs funny story as my mother so often, and so capably, does. Iβm seventeen, so I generally end up regretting my life lessons within the month. Iβm decidedly not qualified to give my inconsistent advice out online. But I am reasonably qualified to describe my mother. So without further ado, here is my mother as presented by the daughter who just moved out and now realizes what she was taking for granted all those years.
First, she has this sense of spiritual and emotional balance that follows her everywhere. Even when she believes she is at her most unbalanced, she is actively trying to fix that. She steps out of the room to collect herself when she starts arguing with my brother. She apologizes endlessly if she thinks sleep deprivation is making her cranky or pessimistic. And this is at her worst. At her best, she calms us all down. She reminds us to appreciate the little details of life. She sees and experiences and shares the world in the best ways.
Second, sheβs different. She wears red high-top Converse, too many colorful bracelets, and an ear cuff. She specifically told me that Iβm allowed to get a tattoo if I really want one, because she almost did when she was my age, but I can never wear βthose shorts with the writing across the butt.β Overall, sheβs gloriously abnormal and sheβs taught me to be the same way. Iβm so eternally grateful.
Third, she doesnβt act her size. There are no tall women on that side of my family. I believe Iβm the only woman who ever reached statistically average height. But she has biceps the size of my calves β because she goes to the gym at 5:30 AM every other day and works out with the same group of intense men who are nearly twice her weight. (They scare me a little, but sheβs friends with all of them.) Sheβs way stronger than me, incredibly stubborn, and ridiculously hard working. Go back and put about three times more emphasis on the words βincrediblyβ and βridiculouslyβ and youβll come close to describing the determination with which she approaches life.
Fourth, she appreciates the world like no one Iβve ever met. She is grateful for every minute that Iβm home from college. Truly, consciously recognizing and re-recognizing her gratitude, every minute. She is the one who taught me to be βin the momentβ β to be aware of the world around me and enjoy its little beauties. She is the kind of person who says, βDonβt you just stop sometimes and realize how wonderful your life is?β And on top of all this, she spreads her appreciation. She has helped me find some of this same conscious gratitude, and for that I am (guess what?) grateful.
I am grateful for a lot of things. I am grateful that my mother trusts me and my writing ability enough to ask me to guest post on her blog. I am grateful that she taught me to wear obnoxious earrings and bright turquoise cowboy boots. I am grateful that I inherited a bit of her New Yorker spirit and near-comical stubbornness. But most of all, I am grateful that this remarkable woman is my mother.
WOW!!!
As one of the only people to have known her longer than you and lived with her more closely albeit differently, I want to thank you for describing my sister so well and so lovingly. You are both two of the most amazing, wonderful women I have ever known. You both provide constant inspiration, comfort, wisdom, and hugs whenever they are needed. I’m honored — and, yes, grateful — to have both of you in my life.
XO
Love this! A writer is born!
π
Beautifully written! You both rock.
Thank you very much!!
-Sarah
So beautiful and moving…….in more ways than I can articulate………one thing I know for sure…….the love and trust….and ability to feel gratitude……well taught……well earned…..and heart bursting to read………it’s palpable…and delicious……sending all my love.xoxo
Great job, Sarah!! I know your mom is thrilled to have you home.
Yes I am!!!!
π <3 π <3