Sometimes I See My Mom

When I look in the mirror, sometimes I see my mom. It has happened enough lately to make me wonder what's going on. At first I thought maybe it's how I remember her best, at my current age, but that doesn't make sense because I was already living in Texas, a thousand miles away from her, when she was in her early 50s. It could be because I had the good fortune of speaking at that mother and daughter event a few weeks back and it's got me reflecting, about mom and me, about Kaitlyn and me. Perhaps I resemble her more than I'm willing to admit. Or maybe it's just time to get serious about reconnecting with her.

It's not like seeing her in the mirror is a bad thing. Sometimes I do wish that I were closer to mom than I've been. We've managed some time together last summer with my sister and that was a lot of fun. We ate breakfast out, toured some gardens, played canasta, and had a sleep over. But those times are, unfortunately, rare. It's not that we don't have a good relationship either, but the distance in miles has distanced us emotionally, too, over the years, I suppose. 

My mom passed down so many great traits and skills. A registered nurse, she's an amazing caretaker. In addition to raising five children and working as a farmer's wife, she held down a parttime job at Bellin Hospital for years and years as a newborn nursery nurse. She gave many of our neighbors' babies their first bath. One time, she even went to the scene of an accident to see how she could help and came home with a baby because his severely-injured mom was being taken to the hospital. Who does that? She was always the first to come by with a meal to comfort the family that had lost a loved one. Because I watched my mom care for others over and over again, I learned compassion and charity.

She taught me how to cook, bake, sew, and knit. My mom was wonderful in the kitchen and she encouraged me to stand by her side and learn from her as she mixed and served up sweet delicacies like Danish Kringle, Black Bottom Pie, and Seafoam. I have followed her footsteps in the kitchen except I'm afraid I haven't always involved my own kids like she involved me. That was a special gift! I could sew pretty much anything and because of those knitting lessons, I was able to start a Knit Club at my school ten years ago. Because she was multi-talented, I acquired many skills at my mom's side.

My mom volunteered with many organizations over the years. In fact, I'm not sure she ever said no and I'll freely admit that that's me sometimes, too. She served with the Jaycettes in the community and the Ladies Aid at church, as the Secretary for our local AAL insurance branch, as a singer in the choir, and as a sponsor for the local 4H Club chapter. She and my dad also served as Foster Parents for many years, taking in at-risk youth and giving them a chance at something better. And she did all of those things with a kind, friendly smile. Because she was so connected to her community, I learned to connect, be friendly and volunteer.

Seeing my mom in my reflection has definitely helped bridge the distance as I bathe in gratitude for and stand in awe of a woman who has touched the lives of so many in ways that continue to ripple out through those whom her kindness has blessed. I think it's actually a gift that sometimes I see my mom.