For My Mother, My Hero

With another Mother's day behind us, how many of us can really ever thank our mothers for what they do for us? I know that I for one can never thank my mother enough for what she has done for me. I am now 40 years old and will be turning 41 in September so it's been a lot of years that I've had my moms loving guidance and direction behind me pushing me gently when I needed it and kicking me in the butt as I needed it.

I remember so many times when I was little when I had migraine or my arthritis was acting up that my mom would take care of me unconditionally, rub my legs endlessly or hold my head out of the toilet. When I'd have a nightmare she would never yell at me for sneaking into her bed in the early morning hours. As a teen I was her shadow, but she never complained to me, she just let me tag along while my siblings did their own things.

She was there when I graduated from college and wore a huge smile on her face, she was proud of me as I walked across that stage. She threw a reception for me and held baby showers in my honor.

Mom was there when I was dealing with life and at times screwing it up but she was there when I needed a hand with anything. She would just gently steer me back on course. When life would get me down she would tell me that it is always darkest before the dawn. She's always been my greatest support keeping me up when life tried to bowl me under.

On the worst days of my life, mom has been there with a gentle sprit and an unwavering love. When I had my first child a daughter and we both almost died as I gave birth to her my mom was there to yell at the doctor and say shake a stick. When I found out my husband was cheating on me, she and dad rushed to my side.

She never told me that anything was impossible or that I set my sights to high. With a gentle guiding hand she got me back on the right track if I faltered and let me know that I could do it all. It's scary as hell sometimes knowing I am doing this parenting thing by myself, I know that I have had the best teacher in the world my mom. For that I can never thank her enough.