When you’re a child, a mother walks ahead of you.
She’s your first teacher,
and sets the example.
She shows you how to open the door for the person behind you at the grocery store.
She shows you how to accept your body by wearing a swimsuit and getting into the pool.
She shows you resilience when she falls but gets back up again and keeps trying.
And as you get older, a mother starts walking behind you.
She gives you space to figure out who you are apart from her.
She lets you lead the way
to find your voice,
your passions,
make your friends,
and discover who you are.
Because she respects your need to bloom.
But she’s always there,
as support,
an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on when you’re having a bad day.
Even when you dismiss her suggestions, roll your eyes, and say, "Mom, you're so unfair,”
she’s there.
And when you're an adult, she walks next to you as a friend.
It may happen that first year at college when you’re away and missing home,
or when you have your own children, and she’s the only other person besides your partner who’s interested in your breast milk supply.
But to those of us who are lucky,
it happens.
She becomes the other half of your heart and the person
you go-to to cry when you’re sad,
yell when you’re angry,
and laugh when you have a funny story to tell.
And she’ll remain that person for the rest of her life.
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