Belated Mother’s Day Thank You to My Mom

Baking cupcakes for my son’s birthday the other weekend makes me think of my mom.  As I show him how to use a hand mixer, I remember how I learned this from her years ago – the same familiar whir of the beaters against the bowl, learning how to move the bowl around slowly and scrape the batter off the sides as you go.  Making sure to add the dry ingredients gradually to avoid a cloud of flour.

I realize, as I do frequently these days, that I want to share all these things my mom taught me with my kids.  The further I go down the path of parenting, the more I uncover the many lessons and nuggets of wisdom gently instilled from my mom.  Without further adieu, a short, sweet thank you to my sweet mom.

Mom,

Thank you for letting me make a mess.  Whether through cooking, making “potions” in the bathroom with sundry medicine cabinet supplies, or taking over the living room with elaborate pillow and blanket forts, you encouraged us to create, to discover, to get messy.

Thank you for letting me make mistakes.  Whether in cooking or in life, you allowed me to make mistakes and try again, all the while, supporting me with unconditional love and patience.

Thank you for nurturing my interests. Not prescribing them to me, but observing them within me and then helping them develop.

Thank you for supporting my dreams, whatever they have or may be.

Thank you for helping me become me.

Thank you for all these gifts I’m rediscovering in the most beautiful way as a mom.  I love you.