The topic of mother-daughter relationships is as complex as it is loving. Over the years, many writers--some with sweet feelings, and some who were a tad bitter--have taken on this subject that is special by nature, and forever timely.
Some of us lost our mothers some time ago, but still miss her like we lost her yesterday; some of us have recently experienced the life-altering blow. Many of us are fortunate enough to still have our mothers.
Most of our mothers love us from the inside out--even when there are rifts, which are indeed a part of the real world. We as their offspring should always find a way to calm the waters and remember the sacrifices our mothers have made, which in most cases have been plentiful.
You can bet your bottom dollar your mother sweated and fretted to get you where you are now. Nine months is darn close to a year spent carrying and laboring over your safety and loving you--without even seeing you yet. That's some love. When you arrived, whether early, on time or late, your entry into what can be a cruel, cold world was met with smiles, kisses, love and a finger/toe count, as well as promises that your life would be as good as she could make it. She probably promised you that you could be and have anything you wanted. Her main objective was making sure you were kept healthy, given ample doses of guidance and self-esteem, and shown a path--sometimes clear, sometimes cluttered--to get you to adulthood intact and loving yourself.
As our parents age, we, as adults, can sometimes see what we will look like several decades down the line. And if we're real about things, we know that there are some things that we probably could have done differently on our journey to better ensure that "Mama" knows or knew she is appreciated. I know that since I was 12 years old, I've thought that I had all the answers--something that did not make my mother's journey with me pleasant at all times. I'm as opinionated as she is, and it has taken me quite some time to learn that you can indeed get more done with honey than vinegar.
It boils down to life lessons. Our mothers give us direction and wisdom to go through our journey free from as many bumps as possible. Some of us take heed; some of us--myself included--elect to take the hard way and need to come back and repeat said lesson again.
All in all, nine times out of 10, mother does know best.
Daughters: If you still have your mom, call her and tell her, "Thank you, and I love you." If your mom has passed on, send up a prayer and let her know you appreciate all she's done for you. She'll hear and feel your love: That's just how strong a mother's love is.
