What I want my children to remember about me as a mother:
That my face lit up each time they entered a room.
That putting their own well-being above my own was a natural reaction and not a choice I felt I had to make.
That I believed in my heart they chose me as their mother, and that I honored that choice every day.
That I was only human and made mistakes, but I understood the importance of admitting my errors and asking for forgiveness.
That I encouraged them to live their own lives, not a life I wished for them.
That I appreciated self-expression in any way it manifested itself in my children.
That I needed my own time, not because I was selfish, but because giving that to myself made me a more centered person and a better parent.
That we laughed A LOT.
That it was okay for us to get mad at each other, healthy even. But that I was never too proud to make the first move toward reconciliation.
That I was always the last to release a hug.
That I looked them in the eye and said "I love you" every single day.
That I believed kindness and generosity toward others were high priorities in life.
That I wasn't afraid they'd stop loving me if I answered "no." And if my answer was "no," there was a reason behind it. I never said "no" because I didn't want them to have fun, or to punish them unfairly.
That I recognized their talents and encouraged their interests (even if I didn't find those things interesting).
That school mattered. If they got a "C" when they worked their hardest, then I applauded their "C." If they got a "C" when I knew they could have done better, I came down hard on them.
That I demanded success from them, so they would learn to demand success from themselves.
That I thought they were the coolest people on the planet.
And above all else, I want my kids to always remember how much I love them. From the day I learned I'd conceived, to the day they were born, beyond the day I die. I will always, always love them.
Here's to being the best mothers we can be.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone!
