I have been blessed with a wonderful mother. There are so many things that I love about her, but today I am particularly grateful for the freedom that she has given me. At some point, she stepped back and set me free to have my own life's experiences. I'm not sure when this letting go started, although I distinctly remember telling her, "I can decide for myself, I'm eleven!" Maybe that's when she decided that a little distance would be a good idea. Ahem. (This is a particularly frightening thought since Olivia is now ten!)
But at some point she gave me the freedom to make my own mistakes, and I have made plenty of them. Some I continue to make over and over, but I have learned from a few. Even with all of my mistakes and imperfections, though, I do not remember Mom ever giving me unsolicited advice, telling me how to do things differently or better.
Now that I am a mother, I realize how hard it is to stand on the sidelines while my children stumble, how hard it is to restrain myself when I feel like I could tell them how to do it better. I am nowhere near as good at this as my mother. Thank you so much, Mom, for this gift.
If you are inspired to do so, feel free to share something about your mothers in the comment section. And Happy Mother's Day to all of you who have mothered someone.
On a more practical note, here are a few ideas from the archives of recipes for a Mother's Day brunch: blueberry crumb cake, kale and gruyere strata, lavender buttermilk biscuits, candied ginger scones, almond granola, green eggs, no ham. Enjoy!
Dear Margy,
You may have made a few "mistakes" along the way but whatever freedom you had also showed that you used it well with many, many wonderful accomplishments. Many joys have come our way because of you!
Love, Mom
Posted by: Mary | May 09, 2010 at 08:52 PM
I have teary eyes reading mother and daughter comments. I have to say, that Mary is an incredible human being that I am proud to call my friend, she is top of the top and I, being a Cuban mother, have appreciated her ways and have tried to put into practice..8-) restrain....It's harder, much harder for me....but still...I'm trying to learn new ways....God bless you both and thank God for bringing such exceptional women into my life...Thank you Margy for being patient with me, remember always everything I do it's done with tons of love!
Posted by: eva | May 10, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Mama, XXOO!
Eva, I am blessed to have you in my life, too. Our children have two wonderful grandmothers that have their own unique qualities to bring. What a gift!
Posted by: Margy | May 13, 2010 at 09:37 PM