A Mother Away

Another year has passed and Mother's Day is here again, along with my annual reflections on what it means to appreciate my mother as we continue to grow together.

A year ago I wrote "Mother's May", a confessional about my strained relationship with my mother and my desire to work together, heal, and grow. It's crazy to think a year has passed since then, and just how much has changed. In fact, I'm actually having a really hard time writing about this because things have changed so much since then. In a good way though.

Last year I reflected on my faults, and though I have not completely grown out of them, I feel like I have gotten better. I can still be quick to anger and lack the full virtue of patience, but I think we have both learned to be a little less selfish when we look at each other. In the past year, we have made strides to be more understanding of one another and our vast differences. We've also seemed to find peace in our similarities. We are even doing "Mother's May" different then we have ever done them. For starters, we won't be together today, not for lack of want, but because she got to go be with her mommy today in Arizona. I am so glad they get to spend today together, though I do wish I could be with them. But I will be celebrating them from here with my fur babies (who, can I just say, did not get me presents or make me breakfast in bed soooo...)

I won't sit here and say everything is perfect, but I will say that there is a lot more that I am thankful for this year than the last, and that was the goal, wasn't it? I love and appreciate my mom and am enjoying getting to know the new versions of both of us. I am immensely proud of the progress we've made and can say with confidence that I feel closer to her than I ever have. We are both still walking our journeys, but we are finding each other more and more along the way.

This isn't the end either. I know we are both just getting started. And I know that if we can do it, so can you. There are going to be bumps along the way- I know we will still clash, but I also know we will know when to put our swords down. I come from a long line of strong, incredible women, and I am happy to honor them today. I wish my mother and my grandmother the happiest of mother's day's, and hope they know just how much I love and appreciate everything they have done for me through out my life. You are amazing and I love you.

To all the other mother's out there, of all different types, thank you. Thank you for all you have done, all you do, and all I know you will continue to do. We children might not always show it, but you shape and influence us in ways we cannot deny. Your every move is felt and reverberates beyond us, so today we celebrate you.

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Thank you so much for joining me for this Mother's Day special for The Mess. I hope you have a wonderful day and get to relax a bit before we dive into the week ahead. You are doing amazing, keep going. I will be back Wednesday with some Nerdom and then, next Sunday, we will be celebrating the 100th episode of My Mess, make sure to join us! In the meantime, stay safe and stay messy my friends.