When I think about what it would be like to add the title “mom” to the list of words that define me, it almost goes beyond what I am able to comprehend. Motherhood is something that can only be learned through experience. How can I possibly even begin to imagine what it must be like? To be so responsible for another human being? A human being that is both a part of myself and yet entirely their own? To be honest, I can’t. All I can do is try in some semblance of an effort to prepare myself for the day when I truly can…when I have a child of my own. By watching my mom, what I do know is what kind of mom I want to be.
My mom never treated her either of her kids like “just a kid.” Like all children with their natural curiosity, we had questions about the world on everything from the meaning of marriage or death to what makes a rainbow and do fairies really exist? (The answer to that one was always, “I don’t know, maybe!”) No matter how complex or grave our question, she always answered with honesty and to the best of her ability. Her consideration acknowledged that we were more than just children; we were growing human beings. I never felt inferior, and later it gave me a confidence in my capacity to understand- a confidence in my intelligence.
This translated into her approach to our emotions as well, especially as we traversed those tricky years between kid and teenager. She has always shown compassion and understanding for our feelings despite where they might have landed on the spectrum from ridiculous to valid. We talk through them, look at the situation from all sides, and acknowledge them for what they are. She is a shoulder to cry on, a partner in laughter, and, I’m ashamed to say, sometimes an outlet for anger. She doesn’t deserve it (and believe me, I’m working on it), but the fact that she still puts up with me after showing me my place demonstrates what a great mom she really is.
These are just a couple of things that make my mom so inspiring! She has a natural positivity that transfers to those around her, so innate that she doesn’t even have to try; it’s simply how she is. She takes pride in her home and the lives of my family members, striving for an environment that is clean and happy and healthy. Nothing excites her more than helping someone else with a project. The ideas and exploits of others inspire her creativity to the point where she’ll you’ll help you take your endeavor above and beyond the expectations you originally set for it. And above all, she has one of the most difficult and important qualities of being a mother down pat: selflessness – for the sake of her family, her friends, and anyone with a kind heart in need.
These traits set an example. They show me how a parent should treat their children, but also how a human treats another human. My mother inspires me not only as a mother, but as a person. I can only hope that every day, I take one step closer to becoming more like her. Then someday, when I do have children, they might not just learn from my words and discipline, but take positive insight from who I am.
