I think we can all agree that we feel really bad for being unfairly bratty and mean to our mothers between the wretched ages of 13-16. With OU’s Mom’s Weekend just passing, I was inspired to reflect on what a remarkable person and an angel of a human my mom truly is.
First off, her support is unmatched.
I know that sometimes the things I do are maybe a little out of the norm for many people, and even if she disagrees with my choices, she never, ever, discourages me from doing what I’m passionate about. When I was 12 years old and decided I wanted an entire bleached head of hair and bangs to look like Hannah Montana, she didn’t say no, she took me to the salon and encouraged me to get a little pink stripe in the bangs. When I decided to go to college 8 hours from home, which I knew really upset her, she supported me all the way through these four years of grueling car rides and homesick FaceTime calls. When I decided to go vegan a couple of years ago, she didn’t leave me stranded or discouraged me, she started googling a bunch of vegan recipes and modified many holiday dishes so that I could still enjoy them.
She somehow balances being a busy, working woman while always being there when I need her.
The amount of times I’ve had her talk to me on the phone for hours on end is quite embarrassing, but she has no problem doing it. When I’m sick (she’s a nurse), she tells me exactly what I need to do, and there’s always a care package at my door within the next week. She’s constantly helping me through my job search, and constantly sends me anything that she can to make my life easier. I could go on, but you guys get the gist of it, she’s pretty selfless.
Not to mention she’s a literal cool mom!
She rides a Harley (with my equally as cool dad) and has a social media account on every platform. She plays pool every week at a local bar and is going to Las Vegas to play in a tournament next month. When I repeatedly bring home cats and dogs that I find on the street, she has always taken them in and nursed them back to health, no matter how long that process takes (and kept them as our pets). She’s always trying new things and is always down to experience something new with me.
She’s my best friend.
I know that a lot of people can’t call their parents their best friends, and I am incredibly grateful to be able to do that. On more than one occasion I found myself eight hours from home, away from anyone I was able to go to for help, and she has come to the rescue. When people have repeatedly walked out of my life, she was one of the only constants. I genuinely could never express how grateful I am to have that. Even from the East Coast, she’s somehow able to make everything better.
She has always reminded me of my worth.
I sincerely never realized how impressionable young girls were until I got older. While society and the media were constantly trying to tell me how my body should look, how I should act, and what my value as a woman in this world was, she always made sure that I knew the truth. Growing up, I remember her constantly reminding me that I was beautiful and that I wasn’t allowed to think I was fat, because I wasn’t. I can still hear her telling my sisters and I, “If anybody ever makes you feel like you deserve anything but the best, you get the heck out of there. You guys deserve way more than that.” She always reminded me that I could do absolutely anything I wanted to in life, that I was brilliant, and the sky was the limit. I can’t stress enough how important that is for a young girl to hear.
So, thank you, mom. Thank you for being so selfless, caring, strong, supportive, and just absolutely incredible. I hope to be half the woman you are one day.