I am Proud of You

I am a month short of 63. My mother told me she was proud of me this morning. That is the first time she has ever said that.

Let me explain.

I was the youngest of five. I got good grades in school. But she had to spend extra time with my middle three siblings to make sure that they graduated. No time for me.

In my teen years, I pushed the envelope. Tried to push all the rules. I know she sat up many nights worrying.

Then I got pregnant at twenty. Married the guy she didn’t like.

She was a stay at home mom and didn’t approve of me working. Felt I should have found a way to ‘make do’ with what my husband earned.

I was so busy in my middle years working and raising a family I did not have much time for her. Even after my dad died.

While I knew she loved me, I always felt I did not live up to her expectations.

These last few years helping to take care of her on a daily basis has brought us so close. As hard as it is to see her fading in the final years of her life, I feel these are the most precious times we have ever had together.

I cherish every moment.

I am so proud of her too.