My Mother, My Friend.

I keep reading these articles and blogs and books and such that say "You are not your child's friend. You are their parent. You can love them unconditionally, you can support and encourage them, you can laugh and play with them, but you are not their friend." and I think... wow. My Mom sure did it wrong.

Now, obviously I'm being a bit sarcastic here. My mother has always been my mother... and while I certainly wasn't your typical teenager (I left the screaming and such to my younger sisters) I certainly had my teenage moments... but having lived at home throughout school, and even university, and now I'm grown and have kiddos of my own, I can honestly say that I am proud to call her both my Mom and my friend.

We do a lot together. We dance together in our church's liturgical dance group, we chat regularly, drop by each other's houses, drink tea, email practically daily... she is definitely my Mom. There are times in all of our lives when we just need to talk to our mothers... but she is also definitely my friend.

She taught me to be strong, and she supports me when I'm not. She taught me to be confident, and she built me up so that I could be. She taught me to laugh at myself, by never being afraid to show her silly, goofy side. She taught me to try new things, because you never know what your next passion might be. She taught me the value of good food, good friends, family and that time is the most precious gift you can give anyone.

She has also helped me through this dark time this past year, by not being afraid to share her own journey through the darkness of depression and loss. She is a powerfully vulnerable, beautifully confident, and an amazingly wonderful woman. My mother, my friend.

Happy Mother's Day Mama. Thank you for being the mother I'm striving to be.

My Mama and I? We'll be drinking tea.




And a note for my Mother-in-law
Mama B. - thank you for raising the man of my dreams. Maybe it came as no surprise to you that he would pick a woman who is outspoken and smart, because his mother is a great example of the way a confident, intelligent woman handles herself. Thank you for caring for me. You always seem to know when we need you, and you give of yourself completely selflessly. As a mom of 2 boys, I hope that one day I will be able to show my daughters-in-law the same love and care that you have always shown me. Happy Mother's Day.

And Happy Mother's Day to all of you, if you're a Mom or if you have one, celebrate the day.


Enjoy it.

Tea.