BlissFullU

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms, or those who play that role for others, even if they aren’t technically related.

I finished the novel Cemetery Road, by Greg Iles, last night (and really enjoyed it––it felt a little like a really good murder mystery combined with Pat Conroy-esque dysfunctional, combative Southern families full of secrets and betrayal in a small community where everyone knows everyone).  I was struck by this line:

When a parent dies, your center of gravity is altered.  Even if you lived apart from them––even if you walled yourself off from all contact––you are irrevocably lessened by their passing.

It has been more than a dozen years since my own mother died.  But I agree with Iles––it is something that unmoors you.  When I lost her, I felt like I had lost my first, my most consistent, and my most unconditional cheerleader.  When I was growing up, no one believed in me more than my mom did––not even me.

So this is just a shout out to all the great mothers and mother-figures out there––the ones who believe in us and nurture us to be our best, no matter what!

PS––Even though my mom is no longer on this Earth, I’m fortunate to have so many friends who help to fill that “seeing me at my greatest possibilities” role that she played when she was alive.