A Mother's Arms

As a little girl, whenever I got sick, the first place I wanted to be was in my mother's arms. Those arms held me when I was first born, held me when I cried, and they have held me in a warm embrace during some of the happiest moments of my life. My mom has always been there for me. From volleyball, baseball and basketball games to swim meets, tennis matches, band and choir concerts, and plays, my mom was there. And after each event, no matter how poorly I played or sang, I got a hug from my mom with words of encouragement. She always told me that she loved me and was proud of me. And while I listened to her words, I remember most the feeling of giving my mom a hug. 

As I've grown up, I've been able to be the one to help comfort her at times. While it may not be something huge, just being there to put my arms around my mom and listen to her is something I do because I love her and want her to know how grateful I am for the many times that she has been there and done that for me. 

One of my favorite stories with my mom that basically sums up our relationship (which totally rocks, by the way) is one that I don't remember myself. I was little and sitting at the table coloring on a piece of paper. My paper was getting destroyed by the crayons clutched in my hands, because all I was doing was scribbling like mad. When I got up to proudly show my picture to my mother, she tried to be sensitive to my feelings and not ask, "What's that?". So instead she asked, "Taylor, can you tell me about your picture?" Apparently, I put my hands on my hips and looked at her and said, "It's just a bunch of scribbles, mom." Even from a young age I just said it how it is. 

I love my mom and will be eternally grateful for the wonderful example she has been for me and for the friend that she has been to me. 

I have gratitude and love for another mother. My wonderfully awesome husband Derek is the man that he is because of his amazing mother. She has always been so kind and loving to me, and I am looking forward to the years that we have ahead of us so that I can continue to get to know her. Derek may not be a man of many words, but his actions speak millions. I love to see how much he loves his mom. I feel blessed to be a part of his family, and to have my mother-in-law to be there for us. She is a sweet, tender-hearted, and loving person.

Now as I am an expectant mother I am even more grateful for the wonderful examples of these two mothers in my life. I can't wait for my little girl to meet her grandmothers and to realize how lucky she is to have them. I hope that as a mother I can be to my little girl what my mom was to me, and what Derek's mom was to him. 

I love you. Happy Mother's Day.