I have met many "mothers" in my lifetime and have been inspired to be more like some and at the same time swear I'd never be like others. Fortunately I have been blessed with more than one mother, more than two grandmothers and had the opportunity when I was small to meet and interact with a great grandmother (I am so glad that my daughter has had that same opportunity).
My mother is a woman child of God, a replica of her own mother (sorry mom) in some ways but mostly has become her own person (just a little bit). She's always supportive on my good decisions and scolds me still when I make bad ones. I still get my feelings hurt at times when she tells me what I need to hear but I know she means well and I wouldn't want her to lie to me. I've hurt her feelings, stomped on her heart and cussed and argued with her all because I knew better than she - in the long run I've ate my words and swallowed my pride to commend her on her experience and have since come to realize that she did know better. I've learned more in the last 11 years and have re-visited the "One day... you'll see" line more than I care to count but I could never thank her enough for the education she has provided with me and although I said, " I'd never do that to my child!" - I admit, I've done it - cause it works.
My Nana is a woman of compassion, and I would have loved to have met her mother and when she reads this she's gonna cry. She too has always been supportive of me and she is who I'd go to when the head momma in charge made me cry. She'd love me and make me feel better and fix me a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich (she had to do it cause she was afraid I'd lick the spoon and put it back in the jelly jar - she's a strict no double dipper). And as the world has turned - she is also who my daughter goes to when I make her mad or she gets hurt - "I want my Nana" she says. I don't have a recent picture of her but I will be putting one on this blog very soon - so lookout Nana here I come with the camera. :)
With the many influences in my life, I have come to determine and somewhat plan on my daughter loving me, sometimes say that she hates me (even though she doesn't), hurt me, crush my heart and mend it all in one sentence. With the lessons I've previously learned and the lessons I will learn in the future I hope I am half the mother that the mothers and grandmothers in my life have been to me.
