Friday, May 11, 2007

Real Moms are Moms Forever

It's no secret that I want to have children of my own someday. It's also no secret that I'm often impatient for that day to come. Knowing this, a well-meaning family friend once told me that I shouldn't have kids until I was ready to give up the next 18 years of my life to them. "It's a full-time job," she said, "and it's not over until they're off on their own."

No offense to my friend, but she was wrong. I don't even have kids yet, and I know she was wrong. Because it's more than 18 years, and it's not over when they're off on their own.

I'll be 25 next month, and I've been "on my own" for years - paying my own bills, handling my own education, making my own decisions. But my mom is still doing the full-time mothering: She worries about me when I start a new relationship, she cries for me when she knows I'm sad, and she beams with pride when I overcome obstacles. When I feel little and lost in the world, I call her and let her voice wrap me up in its strength. And when I'm with her, she holds me close to her heart and there's a part of me - way down deep - that remembers when we were one person. She doesn't get off the hook just because I'm a "grown-up" now - she still has to be my mom.

Because a real mom is a mom forever.



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This post was written for the Real Moms Truths contest. The winner of the contest will receive an amazing 4G iPod Nano and Chocolate gift set, plus a link to their post on True Mom Confessions on Mother's Day. Go enter! You have until 10pm EST tonight!

9 comments:

Major Bedhead said...

You mother sounds amazing. I have a very prickly relationship with my mom and I'm always envious of women who get along well with their mothers.

I hope I don't become my mother and have this sort of arms-length, no emotions ever kind of deal with my girls.

Angela said...

What a sweet post!

Anonymous said...

Aren't Moms Great?? Mine is 86 (as is my dad) and we talk on the phone at least once a week!! My Mom has never let go and has never foresaken me, even during the lowest times in my life.

They are healthy and active and will probably outlive me!! GOOD for them!!

I heart my Mom!!

A BIG Happy Mothers Day to your Mom!!!

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean, I have been sick all week with the "flu" and all I want is my Mum... and I am THIRTY!

Happy Mum's Day Lara's Mum!

CaliforniaTeacherGuy said...

Right you are! (And real dads are dads forever too.)

IMC Guy said...

Tonight, after a rather long day, my wife and I were sitting in our bedroom and our 2 kids were playing. We started talking about how nice it would be to not have the kids around occasionally (although we love them) and also to be single once in a while - not to cheat or anything, but to simply have time to do whatever we wanted to. Just then, my four year comes in and starts jumping around on me and we all started laughing. My wife and I looked at each other and said, "Then we wouldn't have times like this!" Our good times together as a family outweigh all the other stuff.

Anonymous said...

This was wonderful and beautiful and, yes, it made me cry...in a very good way. I thank all of you for the wishes. Lara, I am grateful for you every single day.

Lara said...

major bedhead - i can't possibly imagine you ever having that kind of relationship with your girls. i see the way you write about them, and i know it's just not possible.

angela - thanks, dear!

r u serious? - yep, moms are great, indeed. happy mother's day to your own!

lala - oh yes, when you're sick, there's nothing you want more than mommy. i totally know. :-P

CTG - yes, you are right of course about dads. but their day is next month! :-P

IMC guy - i've heard that often, that there are those longing moments for a different kind of freedom. but in the end, it always tips the scales back when the family shines through. :)

mom - i'm grateful for you right back. :) love you!

Dani said...

What a beautiful testament to motherhood. You and your mother are lucky to have one another.