More Than a Mother

Today is my 30th birthday. So I thought it would be fitting if I asked my mom about my birth.

It was early in the morning and my Dad had already left for work. My Mom was alone when her water broke and she started having contractions. My Dad has just gotten to work when she called him and told him to come back home. She labored at home until about mid-morning and then went to the hospital. And 3 hours later, I was born. The first thoughts that my Mom had of me when I was born was that she couldn't believe how big I was, 8lbs 12oz, and that I had the roundest, fattest baby face that she had ever seen. She said that as soon as I was placed into her arms, and given her breast, I latched right on. And that was it, we bonded right away.

I listened to my Mom tell me this story and I could hear the emotion in her voice. I heard the words get choked up in her throat. I felt the love that she had for me. I understood this love because I share each of it for my own children.

My Mom and I have always had a great relationship. She is the one that I can talk about anything. She knows me. She understands me. Sure, we have had our bumps in the road but what relationship doesn't. She is my biggest supporter and pushes me to be my very best.

I have always admired my Mom. Not because she was perfect but because she did the very best that she could with what she was given.

But my admiration and love for her was taken to a whole new level after I had my own kids. We were still mother and daughter but it was at a whole new level. We were now almost like equals.

We understood each other.

She knew what I meant when I said that I was in love with my children
She understood my pain and sadness at having to leave my baby on my first day back at work.
I understand her longing to be together as a family.
We both know the worry of raising a child, the guilt and fear of doing something wrong

Motherhood bonded us together more. It brought us closer together. When I became a mother, my mother became so much more than just my mother. She became my mentor, someone to confide in, and my friend.

We are forever bonded together as mother and daughter but we have a better understanding of each other and relationship because we are also both mothers.

This post has been part of Writer's Workshop host by Mama Kat.