With Mother’s Day right around the corner many of us are thinking about what to get or do for our moms, the leading ladies in our lives. I, on the other hand am thinking about all of the people who raised me. I grew up in a divorced family with two Christmases and Thanksgivings, the works. It wasn’t always flowers and rainbows but, for the most part we got through my teen years. I wasn’t the easiest of children to raise, but my grandparents, father, mother and even my boyfriend’s mother have all helped me become who I am today.
My grandparents had very different roles in my life than most. I lived with my father’s parents for two years after the divorce of my parents and even after that they are still a constant in my life. My grandmother is putting me through school and supporting me while I work toward the ultimate dream, a life and career of my own. I have never known a time when, if the help was needed that my grandmother wouldn’t help me. She does everything that I could ever ask of her and even some that I don’t.
My father is my rock. He is the one person I was friends as well as daughter to. He was a strict but, reasonable man. As long as the rules were followed and we didn’t lie to him everything was OK. He is one person that I can tell anything that I need to. He taught me how to braid my hair, ride a bike and even shoot a gun. He taught me how to be a strong and independent woman, one who does not need anyone to fill her life up.
Moms are more than that word implies. They are the people who gave you life and brought you into this world. Although I may not see my mother as often as I wish, she is still there for me. She will call every once in a while and discuss the happenings in my life, offer her advice and generally inquire if I am OK. She truly cares for my well being and wants to be involved with my life even now that I am an almost fully functional adult. (go me!)
I have been dating my boyfriend for six years. That is a long time to be around someone and to be around their family. I am not going to lie and say they aren’t a crazy, energetic group because they are. Linda has been around since the beginning. She was the second person in Trace’s family that I met and I couldn’t be happier with the second mother I have gained from this relationship. She will call and ask if I need anything or even if we just want to come over for dinner (except for the recent pancake debacle) and will always be around, her living two blocks away from my apartment is beside the point. I don’t know where I would be without Linda around to make sure that I toe the line between college student and responsibility, probably somewhere far far away.
The point of this article is not to just thank your mothers on Mother’s Day but to thank everyone who had a hand in raising you. You know they happen to be right when they say that it takes a village to raise a child, and just look at how well I turned out! Happy Mother’s Day to everyone out there including the dads, grandparents and even those not related to you. :)
