For You I'd Take, The Last Flight Out

Day 13 of 30

Today we discuss mothers. Namely mine, but also how they help shape us into who we are as functioning humans in society. 

My mom made sure when my brother and I were young, to be at every extracurricular activity, every volleyball game, every track meet, every karate class, every band competition. When I look back on my formative years, I always see my mom sitting in the crowd, smiling ear to ear. Not just for me, but also for my brother. When you ask her what her greatest accomplishment was, she'll tell you raising us. But I think it goes deeper than that. In my eyes, my mom's greatest accomplishment is who she is in this world, her overall persona, her energy, her everything.

Mom is the most loving, compassionate, understanding human being I know. She would never do anything with malicious intent, never do harm to someone. She sees the best in everyone and stands firm in her faith. She doesn't let much bother her or get under her skin. She sees the best in every situation, keeps a positive attitude, and always has a smile on her face. 

When I was an obnoxious teenager with hormones and an attitude, she never once made me feel like I was alone or isolated me because of my behavior. She never judged me for my actions, instead she loved me through them. 

My mom is a warrior. One of the absolute strongest human beings I know.

My mom has a talent unlike any other. For as long as I can remember, she has played guitar and sang her heart out. Tuesday nights growing up meant dinner as a family, mom baking brownies, two of her friends coming over, and filling the house with sounds of music. She made performing look like a cake walk, never showing us how nervous she may have been. 

I saw this same fearless woman last year. How my mom managed to keep her composure and sing at both her parents' funerals and her younger brother's graveside ceremony I will truly never know. Watching her sing songs that meant something to her was so incredible. I have never been more proud to say "That's my mom." - because it was in those moments that she showed me how to be strong when you have to be. 

My mom has celebrated every achievement in mine and my brother's lives, held us through every heartbreak, supported us in every decision we have made. She's been our voice of reason, our advice when we needed it, our moral compass. She didn't raise us alone, Dad had a huge part in our upbringing as well, but today is about Mom. Dad gets his own day next month 😉 

Being 800 miles away from my mom all the time is probably one of the hardest things I've had to handle in my adult life. Unlike peers in my social circle, I am very close to my parents. When I first moved out at 24, I was lucky enough to only live 25 minutes away from my parents. A year later, they were jetting off to warmer weather and a relaxing lifestyle. I couldn't just hop in my car and drive 25 minutes to see them anymore. It was either 15 hours in the car, or 2 hours on a plane to see them in person. 

We all have days where we want our mom - either we're sick, or sad, or just in a funk that only mom can break us out of. Those days have been more frequent lately, but I also know that this adventure is the greatest one for both of us. 

If you're reading this today and Mother's Day is a rough one for you personally - my heart goes out to you. I have never known the love of a child or the loss of one, but I do know that no matter what, you have a support system that loves you - and you're still a mom. You are supposed to be celebrated today too - and you should be. If any of you ever needs someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Mothers are nurturing caretakers who love us into the adults we become. They kiss our booboos, rock us to sleep, give up their entire lives to raise us, and deserve more than just one day to be told that we love them.  They deserve the world for the job they do - that may seem like it comes without a salary, but if at the end of the day they are happy with how we turned out as their children, then that's payment for a day's work. They sacrifice so much for us, to give us our best life, to steer us in the right direction - the least we can do is always tell them we love them, and go out of our way to make them feel like a million bucks - EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 

Everyone's posts today has one common phrase in them: they have the best mom. And it's true! We all have the best moms! There's no need to compete on a day like today friends - all moms are awesome, badass, and just the best. So today, celebrate your mom with a happy, full heart. If you are lucky enough to spend time with her today, give her all of your undivided attention (NO phone in your face - be present.) and make some memories. Take pictures. Tell stories. Build a stronger bond. If you are like me and cannot spend time with your mom today, still do your damndest to make sure she knows she is loved, and that you are her biggest fan. 

The title of this post has a very significant meaning to my mom and I - and I found it fitting to use it for a post centered around moms. 

To those who aren't biological mothers but have helped raise children in any way, today is for you as well.