A mother is several things to a teenage girl; a supporter and a mentor, but most importantly a friend.
In October 2001, the woman who gave birth to my brother, sister and I left. She didn’t bother to say bye or see you later, she just left. What in the world were my sister and I going to do? We had many things coming up in our lives that would require a mother’s support, not just a father’s. So what was going to happen? That sad day, my dad’s mother stepped up. She took the role of being our mother and from then on, has not given up no matter how full her plate got, or how much trouble three rambunctious kids caused.
Growing up was not easy, but not once did Mama put us down. From day one, she always let us know that we could be whatever we wanted to be as long as we put our minds to it. If it wasn’t for her, I would have given up. For many girls, if they don’t have that “mom support,” they would give up as well. I know that if Mama had not been hanging over me to make sure that I completed all of my homework, it probably would not have been finished on time. Daddy? Well, he was a dad. All fathers like to have their kids outside doing things with Dad, so of course, there was no homework being done with him around. Without Mama, I would have been lost.
The middle school years came around, and school work was getting a little out of Mama’s comfort zone, but that did not stop her commitment to being a meaningful part of my life. Of course, with all middle school girls comes puberty and boy drama. And oh, was I boy crazy. Middle school started when we were able to be part of the Beta Club, and Mama definitely wanted me to be part of such a prestigious organization. Studying was at the top of my priorities because for all girls, making Mama proud is a goal. Needless to say, I was inducted into the Beta Club, and Mama was proud. Puberty is probably the most awkward time of a girl’s life. Talking about new things with Dad was never fun, so having Mama around as a support system was important!
Middle school came to an end and high school was next. High school was an entirely new ball game, not only for Mama but for me as well. More boy drama, new friends, driving and of course, many Fridays spent under the lights at football games. Mall trips were never taken alone, especially with a mom as cool as mine. My best friend and I hopped into my mom’s car one August day and took a trip to the mall. Of course, there were boys, and teenage girls, look at them. So, my best friend and I spotted some of the cutest boys in the mall, and well, so did Mama. Without a doubt, Mama had to do “the right thing” and embarrass us both in front of the most attractive boys we’d ever laid our eyes on. It didn’t take any time for us to look back and laugh about the event, but at the time, Mama took her friendship level to the max.
In the end, my mama has always been my biggest fan, my first phone call when I was in need and my go-to gal for a girl’s night out. For teenage girls, mothers are key players in our everyday lives. From friendships, to late night chats about the Lord, to teenage girls, mothers are more important than we will let on, but in the end, we know they are only trying to help us. For everything Mama did for me, I will forever be thankful. To my best friend, and my mama, I love you!
