Mother

I truly believe that the best way to know something, to absolutely know something is to experience it yourself and until this happens, one can only imagine. No matter what is taught, or understood, it’s not only the mind to know, but the heart.

It was not until I became a mother that I truly knew of love. Everything seemed to change around me, but it was I that changed. Not only did I have child in arms but I now knew of my own mother’s love for me. I always knew but until I also became what she was, little did I know what this love consisted of.

Seems it is a path in childhood, I needed my mother. As I entered those rebellious teen years, of course I knew everything I needed to know in life, and I drifted away from her. I am grateful that I was so blessed to return to her, as this is when I began to know her. Not know her only as my mother but as the woman she was and the wonderful friend she became. The more I knew her, the more I appreciated her and the more I loved her.

My mother was the core of our family; the heart of it. It’s very soul. My mother carried us all, kept us safe and secure by us knowing she was always there for us no matter what. She was the definition of unconditional love. She was loved by all that knew her.

Doris May; a most beautiful woman. She gave to all and never expected nor wanted anything in return. She was laughter and happiness, which she brought wherever she went. She would light up a room merely by entering it. She was welcomed and wanted. My mother loved intelligence and conversation; debating issues, discussions. She was bright and self taught in areas that mattered. She read most everything. She read and knew the bible; Shakespeare; poetry; the classics; and the world. We’d joke how she should have become a game contestant on Wheel of Fortune, How To Become A Millionaire, or Jeopardy. She was quick and she knew most answers before they did. She never lost this capacity.

She loved boating and fishing, camping, dancing, singing, and travel. She loved reading and learning. She loved good times and she had strength through the difficult times. She loved her family and she loved her friends, which she had many. She loved people. She loved life and lived it to it's fullest.

She was our rock.

My mother could bring us up, when we were down. She would relieve our worries; comfort us when we hurt. She could make us laugh with her quick wit, and sense of humor. She brought sense to times that had confused and bewildered. She was the part of the world to us that was grounded and secure, when all else seemed to be falling apart. Its no wonder, I selfishly asked myself, what would I do without her? And the more I knew her, and the closer we became, the more I wondered the answer to that question.

~*And now I know that the most important gift of love that my mother gave to me was the answer to that question, all along.*~