A Visit From Mom

As usual, we are late to the airport. We rush into the concourse all in a flurry but the timing turns out to be perfect. I round the corner and there is my Mom just stepping off the escalator from the gates. She is half a football field away but I spot her instantly in her flaming red pants in all her fine glory. I still feel something light up within me when I am with my Mom, and today is no exception. Suddenly the world is a safe and comfortable place, because my Mom is here. Does everyone feel this way about their Mom? Do my kids feel this way about me?

Let's play a game. Think through the list of your friends from past and present. Now - let's say you are the age of your children (or your future children). If you could choose any one of these friends to be your Mom, which would you choose?

Would you want the steady, comforting Mom who cooks well, but who will probably put you to bed on time every night? Or the adventurous Mom who exposes you to a whole new world, but who might forget to do your laundry? Maybe the sensitive Mom who knows just what to say when you are worried or hurt, but who might embarrass you with her probing? Or the Mom who dresses you cute, but makes a habit of leaving you with a babysitter all the time? What about the Mom who plays soccer with you, but holds you to extremely high standards?

When I think through my list of friends there are many who are remarkable and many that I regard as great mothers. But truly not one friend can wrap up the entire package into one person. Really it does take a village to be the all-mighty mother.

And yet we try again and again every day.

I feel blessed that my Mom does an awesome job of bringing it all together, and I am so grateful for the role modeling that she has provided to me. And hey - all you friends out there. I am also grateful for the role modeling you give me every day.

Thank you.