Published: May 11, 2008 01:09 am            

A Mother’s Day message

For my girls, for my mom, all my love

I don’t know about you, but my kids didn’t come with a manual. (Not that I read manuals.)

You’d think in all that stack of literature they give you at the hospital when the little tyke is born, there’d be something that addressed the “teen years.”

Oddly enough, when I brought home my little bundles of joy, it just never dawned on me that 1) we’d have “teen years,” or 2) I’d be raising them by myself at that point.

Oh, the challenges of mothering teen girls. Thank goodness my girls are pretty good, and not much like myself at that age! (Knock on wood.)

My daughters have brought me much joy, much worry, some consternation, and many, many smiles. They may look enough alike to be twins, but they are different as day and night. Both are special, both are beautiful, and each is unique in her own way. To Kate and Lily, you have brought me lots of love and much joy, my darlings. Thank you for being such blessings.

To my own precious mother, I have plenty to say. I put this poor woman through the wringer when I was a teen, yet she still loves me! She was one of those moms who put her career on hold to “be there” for my sister and me while we were growing up. She took us to school in the morning, picked us up in the afternoon, and many times we’d have homemade cookies (or healthy snacks like carrots and celery) after school, while she oversaw the completion of our homework. I would never have passed algebra if it weren’t for her!

Oh, those idyllic times. That is not the kind of childhood my children have had, and I sometimes have some “Mommy guilt.” I was there for them during their early years, when they were little ones, and for that, I feel grateful.

My mother has stepped in (and my father) to help raise my daughters, picking them up, taking them here and there, helping with homework, etc. My folks have gone to out-of-town volleyball games, football games, school programs and graduations to support them.

A few years back when I had my neck surgery, my mother was the one who took me to the hospital in Tyler. She stayed with me overnight, brought me home the next day, and didn’t leave me until I was strong enough to manage on my own. She even cleaned the tubs while she was there!

Last year, when my dad was at M.D. Anderson having his surgery, I went along to “be there” for Mom (and Dad, too, but I knew he’d be out of it). She was there for me in the hospital, and I didn’t want her to go through this ordeal alone. We had some quality bonding time, giggled a lot (especially at stuff Dad did and said while under the influence of strong drugs), met a lot of people, and prayed together.

She may look very dainty and petite, but my mom is a rock.

So, thank you, Mom, for being there for me when I was growing up. Thanks for being there for me when I’ve needed you most. And thank you for helping me raise my two girls, even though you thought you were through with all that!

I love you, Mom.

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Deanna Brown is a Daily Sun staff writer, and editor of “exp ... .” Her column appears on Sundays. She may be reached by e-mail at deanna@corsicanadailysun.com.

        

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