My Mother the Enigma ( did you think I would say car?)

My mother is one of my best friends. We definitely did not start out that way. We probably butted heads from the time I slipped into this world. From what I was told, I even gave her hard time then. I am sure having the doctor have to slip his hand up her and work her like a puppet to  turn me did not make me very endearing to her . If any one thinks this will be dripping with sugary sentiment you will be dead wrong.

What I can say is that although very flawed ( and who isn't?) she is one of the smartest people I know and Sometimes that drives me insane. Damn it Mom! You were right again. It kills me every time. She also loves all her children with a passion.

Most of my mothers past was cloaked in secrecy to her children. As an adult now and knowing  the painful details that was probably for the best but as a child it makes it awfully hard to get to know your own parent. It was like our family history started with her from scratch.

We children were her new start. But, as the old saying goes, wherever you go there you are.  There was that to contend with for sure. Moms life choices were never conventional. It still leaves people scratching their heads. Which is why it is hard being the one person who probably most like her. Hence, the butting heads in the beginning . Who wants to watch a younger version of themselves make the same mistakes?

Raising her children must have been a true adventure. Starting with a blank canvas left some interesting results and memories. As unconventional as my childhood was there are things that I will be forever grateful to have my mother who is like no other. This list is of my gratitude in no particular order about all that she has given me.

1) Not just teaching us right from wrong but teaching us  to right the wrongs.

2) The freedom of expression which was introduced to all her children in the form of art, music, literature , and nature.

3)It is never too late to learn. She shows me that every day. She is the most well read person I know.

4) Love knows no boundaries. There is always enough to go around.

Okay, maybe it is getting sappy and sugary but these are things my mother has given to all her children whether they see it or not.

My most treasured times with my mother are of  us sitting on her old porch with the bees buzzing and the humming birds flitting to and fro while sipping the never ending cups of hot sweet tea discussing everything from politics to art to the long lost memories she kept hidden for so long. I try to do this at least once a week. It keeps me grounded and sometimes emotionally exhausted but I would not trade those times for anything in the world.