My Role Model

My mother was visiting us a couple of weeks ago to get a little extra time in with my kids before they left for college. It is such a pleasure to see her with my kids.

My mom was always a great mother when I was a child. Oh sure, we had our fair share of female spats. But, mostly we truly enjoyed each other's company. Growing up, I had that blessing of all blessings - the complete assurance of both of my parent's love and support. I knew that even if I did something they weren't pleased with, they would still love me. I never doubted that for a minute. I do believe that is the greatest gift a parent can give a child - the assurance of unconditional love.
My childhood was during that first generation of mothers who worked outside the home. And my mother did. Of course, as I have told you all before, I had my wonderful maternal grandmother who lived with us and was there to greet me every afternoon as I got off the school bus. But, my mom wasn't there.
She never really relished that whole domestic goddess role anyway. Maybe getting married at 17 will do that to you. She wasn't the cookie baking, craft making, Martha Stewart kind of mom.
Which was fine with me. What kind of mom was she? She was the world's best listener. She was my constant cheerleader. And I never doubted that she was a mama lion if anyone ever wronged her baby.She is all those things as a grandmother as well.

Plus, her domestic goddess gene kicked in. At first I was startled, then overjoyed, to see her baking cookies with my kids. Or keeping an area of her closet stocked with art supplies for them. She keeps track of every play, concert, and performance they are in and unless some terrible tragedy strikes, she is sitting in the audience.
She congratulates them after the performance. Then she calls them once we get home to tell them what a great job they did.

She was a wonderful role model to me growing up of what a mother should be.

And now she is showing me how to one day be a grandmother.