She is the epitome of selfless unconditional love
People often ask me why I hang out so much with my mom. Most utter: “Oh it really is the Latina in you, you all are so family oriented.”
I crack up at the shocking reactions.
The truth is that I hang out with my mom not because I have to or because it is a family event, but because I want to and I choose to.
My mom is a warrior goddess. Bravery does not even come close to describing her tenacity when she made the decision (18 years ago) to move to the United States from our beautiful country, Colombia.
With just my brother and I, she made it her goal to make sure that we grew up with everything we needed. She chose to put us before anything else; before work, romance, or her own personal desires. We were never spoiled, but we always had a beautiful home, comfortable and nice clothes to wear, an excellent education, tasty food, and plenty of fun traveling.
We might not have lived in mansions or owned big luxurious cars instead we did have a very fluid home, plenty of conversation at family dinners, immense laughter, lots of dancing, and endless love. Priceless memories in my book!
The thing about my mom is that she always showed up and still continues to do so. My brother and I were very active kids. From dance practices in elementary school to soccer matches in middle school and karate/wrestling tournaments in high school, my mom was always on the sidelines cheering both of us when we were winning and consoling us when we lost. She drove us to every event and sat front and center at every graduation. She brought the confetti to every birthday party and the warmth to every holiday.
I can say my mom is not the most affectionate person. She will not sugar coat things either. She will tell it how it is. Nonetheless, I know that she loves me beyond words. I feel it in the time she takes to bake me my favorite zucchini cake. I sense it in the 6am rides to the airport for yet another adventure. I witness it in the encouraging quotes and videos I receive randomly at midnight.
Sure we fight and there are plenty of things we will not agree on. We may not see eye to eye on everything, but she is always going to be my mother. She is not perfect and she help mold me into the 25 year old I am today capable of standing strong. It is a fact that no matter where I am in this world my mom is one of the few people I can count on in my lowest and highest of times.
Therefore, through out my twenties I have realized that I want to build a relationship with my mom beyond texting and occasional phone calls. I consciously choose to foster a friendship with my mom based on quality time and true listening, even if it is just once a week. In the future, as I move forward with my life I choose to be there for her to the best of my abilities. I am not perfect either and I will make mistakes, but I will try fervently to forgive, give understanding, have compassion, be patient, apologize, and give her lots of love.
My mother is the epitome of selfless unconditional love. An absolutely extraordinary soul to say the least. She deserves the best and if I can be one of those people in her life bringing a little bit of joy and happiness then I am only honored to be her daughter.
Happy Mother’s Day Mama,
~M