I found this piece of paper on my desk yesterday, made by my 9 year daughter.
Clearly she is not a teenager yet because she still thinks I’m cool.
I have often wanted to ask my kids, “How could I be a better mom?” But, then I am too scared. Will they have a laundry list that highlights all of my inadequacies? Will I find out what I have feared – that I have failed them?
The reason her gift means the world to me is not because it pictures things I love. Not because she hit the nail on the head regarding Boston (love how she calls it “the Boston.”) Not because she said nice things about me.
Because it shows her heart. Kind, compassionate, outwardly focused, creative, intuitive, selfless, beautiful.
I am so not the perfect mother. I can cringe thinking of things I have habitually done wrong or have not done at all. However, I do believe I have taught and modeled one thing really well.
When you love someone, you support them in their passions. You care about what they do, who they spend time with, how they feel. You are around. A lot. Just in case they need you. You give them space to be who they are, yet check back frequently to see how their journey is going. You can be counted on.You do what you say you are going to do.
I have never told my daughter I was nervous about Boston. And, no, she does not read the blog. But, she obviously knows about my injury (crutches are a decent giveaway). How she knew yesterday, the day of my first run in three months, I would so need to read her words, I’ll never know. But, she knew.
Loving someone sometimes means showing up in the most unexpected of ways.
You bet I’ll be carrying this gift with me on April 18.
SUAR
