Mom

It is a perfect day in Virginia today. I think it dawned especially to celebrate mothers.

Yesterday was full of oppressive, humid heat. It was sticky. I could chew the air.

Late last night a violent thunder and lightening storm rolled through, the air pushed those humid clouds to the ground in the form of rain. The earth was drenched; the storm passed.

And on this glorious day, the calm and beauty after the storm emerges. Just to celebrate moms - I'm convinced.

My mom is an amazing woman and most days I try to show her how much I appreciate her though am not always successful. She did the typical mom things as I grew - she healed my cuts (and talked me through the broken hearts). She ruled our house with a gentle command, but she too could be the violent storm when we needed it. Now that I'm an adult, I see so much more - her dedication and commitment to her family, her grace and style, her intelligence.

I am blessed that my mom and I have attained that level that many moms and daughters don't reach. She is my mom - I look to her for guidance still. But more importantly, she is my friend and confidant and the first person I want to call when things go awry.

My grandmothers - Mom's Once Removed - were also there to help raise me. Nam is always soft spoken to me and always was, unless I was driving my mother crazy (and then she dropped her voice and said in dead calm tones that what I was doing was wrong and I needed to rearrange my priorities immediately). Mamma brought me the love of all things Italian - her heritage. Gram was my confidant and partner in crime though we were separated by two generations.

Growing up, I had many mother figures in my life.

Remi's mom, Sally, was always a second mom to me. I was a part of their household as Remi was part of ours from the age of four until college. And then she stepped in and reaffirmed her second mom status again before my wedding, helping me get through a very difficult time. I think of her today too - and miss her - because I'm selfish and want my best friend to have her mom today too.

Through high school, I had Rosemary as another mom to me. And then when I started college and my first job - Eileen and Mickey were my moms at work. When I left home for the first time and went to Tacoma, Kris took me under her wing as her own daughter was at school in Chicago. When I had to be rushed to the emergency room in college for passing out, Kris stayed with me and updated my mom who was 1000 miles away.

And now my friends are moms and I watch them grow stronger because of (and in spite of) their children. They are amazing to behold.

And I hope to have qualities from each of them when I become a mom someday too.