A mother-daughter relationship is something you truly cannot replace. The relationship I have with my mom is something I am grateful for every day. Not a day goes by where I don’t talk to my mom. I am so lucky to be able to pick up the phone to either vent, cry, laugh, or complain about how I am sick yet again.
Sure, there are those lists of things mothers are “supposed” to teach their daughters, and my mom has gone above and beyond to doing that, but my mom has also taught me so many things she doesn’t even realize.
1. What in sickness and in health means
At weddings when I used to hear the “through sickness and in health” vow I never really stopped to think about what it means, but now every time I do, I tear up a bit. When my dad had cancer I noted everything my mom did for him: constantly checking up on him, going to the store to get the insane food he was craving, and so many countless other actions. When he was having a rough patch in the hospital, my mom turned to me and said, “Carly, this is what they mean by in sickness and in health”. To this day I will never forget that moment.
2. How to turn the other cheek
I’ve always been the type of person who doesn’t let people walk all over me, and makes a big deal about everything. Sometimes this can be a good quality, but other times you just need to brush it off. Growing up I got a lot of backlash for things I did and would get really upset about rumors going around about me. After a while my mom just kept telling me it’s not worse the hassle and they’re not worth being upset about it. Mom, thank you for teaching me to pick my battles.
3. How to be the boss
I was lucky enough to be blessed with a mom who is independent, strong-willed, and more importantly in a job that requires her to “be the boss.” She should come home from a 10 hour day, cook my favorite meal, do the dishes, answer and send emails, watch a little TV, and set her alarm to do it all over again the next day. Seeing her in action, “not taking sh!t” from people, taught me to do the same. She never let anyone walk all over her, or the people that work for her, and in lieu of doing this she also taught me to take charge, be a leader, and look good doing it.
4. To be true to yourself
High school is hard, and there are constantly pressures to change. And just when you resist those changes, college hits you in the face trying to change you again. My mom was constantly telling me to “be true to myself” which at the time I couldn’t understand because I really wanted to be like the senior who didn’t have any goals for the future. Thanks to you mom, I did stay true to myself.
5. How to do my hair
I’m sure growing up most mother’s taught their daughter the perfect curl, the perfect braid, and which shampoo to use. However, my mom wasn’t exactly gifted in this category (sorry mom, but you know this is true). Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with my hair, always having to stay updated with the trends, currently mastering the half bun, and learning all of the different braids to do on my teammates hair. My mom, not knowing how to do hair, taught me to take matters into my own hands and practice braiding on my American Girl Dolls.
6. How to be healthy
My mom is one of the healthiest people I know. She somehow still manages to wake up to the 4:45AM alarm clock three times a week and make it to "boot camp at the gym," run road races, and make healthy eating choices. When I left for college, I didn't realize how much harder it would be to make it to the gym or not eat that third slice of pizza. Thanks for teaching me how important it is to be healthy, but that it's also important to indulge sometimes.
7. It's okay to call home (everyday)
When I first left for college, I was most definitely scared (who isn’t). I was headed to a totally new place where I didn’t know anyone and had a lot on my plate since the first day I stepped on campus for preseason. She wrote me a letter telling me no matter what it is, big or small, funny or serious, or just to talk, she is only a phone call away. I didn’t call home that much first semester, but I always knew that I could. I’m in my second semester of my junior year, and I call my mom everyday.
8. How to be the best babysitter (and Mom, one day)
I love kids, and I always have. My mom is always so astounded at how much babies attention are drawn towards me and how much the kids I babysit love me. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s the one who taught me that.
Thanks for teaching me all of these 8 things, and a million more. I love you, Mom.
