For my mother’s birthday

Since you gave me the gift of life, I wanted to recognize you on your special day.

There are a lot of traits we carry from our mothers. Be it the way we fold towels, the shape of our toes and even sometimes the way we laugh. 

Our mother’s are the first sound we hear, and they feel our presence before anyone else in the world. 

Throughout my childhood I only got my mother in fragments, and my mind filled the gaps with what I imagined her to be. Then I grew up, and saw that like every other person who ever lived my mother had messy bits from the experiences of her life. 

But, it’s the messy parts, the human element that taught me the most. And I too have gained many traits from my mother. 

My mother always shows a stout determination to persevere through life’s challenges, and I am so very thankful to have that same determination.  

My mother shows no fear to speak her truth, and I have found that speaking mine is invaluable to my own happiness. 

My mother soaks in the beautiful moments life offers like she’s gasping for air, and it always causes me to pause in those moments of my life to bask in it’s richness. 

My mother owns her mistakes and with each year that passes she carries more grace, in owning my own, I have found genuine connection with others and grace for myself. 

My mother embraces her emotions be it glee or deep sorrows, and this has helped me to enjoy and overcome all that life gives us. 

My mother has given me my determination to keep going, speak my truth, soak in the good parts, own my mistakes, and embrace the emotions that life offers us. And even though we are two very different individuals, I carry pieces of her that I am so very thankful for. Happy Birthday Ma.