You just walked through the door after a long day at school and you're exhausted. You toss your backpack onto the floor, kick off your shoes, and make your way to the kitchen for a much-needed snack. To your horror, your mom is standing before you, leaning against the countertop. You know the exact questions she's going to ask, and you know the exact answers you're going to shoot back at her. For example:
Mom: "How was school?"
You: "Good."
You wonder how you're the only one annoyed by having that same conversation every single day. You desperately wish you had the house to yourself. How relaxing it would be to walk through the door, plop yourself on the couch, and not hear a sound besides the T.V. and your own thoughts.
You dread touring colleges because you know she's going to be the mom that asks a million pointless questions and embarrasses you in front of who could be future classmates. You dread taking her with you to try on prom dresses because you know she's going to take all the ugliest dresses off the rack and say, "this would look great on you!" You dread the moment she takes out her camera at your graduation because you know she's going to force you into taking a million photos with family and you'll probably miss the photo op with your best friends and the hot science teacher. You dread the moments that I've always dreamed of experiencing.
My mom wasn't there when I came home from school after a bad day and wanted to tell her how unfair my teacher's grading was. She's also wasn't there when I had a great day and wanted her to congratulate me on getting the good grade I worked so hard for. My mom wasn't there at my college visits to ask the questions I was too shy to ask myself. My mom wasn't there to tell me how beautiful I looked in my prom dress, which I picked out alone. My mom wasn't there to congratulate me on graduation day, which means I never got to take a photo with her either. My mom isn't here at all anymore because she passed away.
I dread every moment, not because I wish she'd leave me alone, but because I wish I wasn't alone. I wish my mom would call me at the most inconvenient times because every day I want to hear her voice. I wish my mom would tell me she didn't like what I was wearing, because I haven't heard her opinion on how I look in ten years. I wish she'd ask me a million questions because there is so much I'll never be able to tell her.
Don't take your mom for granted, as hard as it is. The sad truth is that, one day, you will be feeling the same way I am. The scary part is that you never know when they day will come. Appreciate that she tries to be involved in your life because she won't be there forever. Share this with a mom who needs to hear that she's appreciated.
