Ode to Moms

This Mother's Day, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

It's amazing what a year's difference can do. Last year when I was lucky enough to write for this cause, I wrote about my Granny. My thoughts on mothers and mother figures were strictly and solely pointed toward those women who had influenced me as a child. Now? Well, I'm 35 weeks pregnant and about to become a mother myself. I have a new found appreciate and adoration for all of my friends who have come before me.

I've always been a strong-willed and hard-headed individual. I approached pregnancy the same way I did anything else in my life... with an "I can do this and won't need any help" attitude. I learned very quickly that wasn't the case. I also learned very quickly that it is such a blessing to have such good friends who have paved the way before me. (Perhaps I waited til they had kids on purpose? LOL.) I have infinite resources at my finger tips with the internet and my own mom and grandmothers and aunts. But there's something to be said to being able to shoot a text to my best friend to ask her if a second head support in the car seat is necessary. Or if the menstrual-like cramping I'm having is normal.

My core group of friends has been around since middle and high school. We've grown up together and have supported each other through graduations and boys and new jobs and weddings. Now we're in (what I consider to be) the best part of our lives. We are finding our stride and we are bringing up a new generation. We are transitioning into a stage in our life where we need different things from each other now... like hand-me-down clothes and Boppys. And suggestions on what to do if we find ourselves in tears and overwhelmed during the first few weeks of our children's lives. Because not only have they showered Bimmer with stuff (HERE) they have also showered me with love and encouragement. They have assured me I am doing this right. And I know that once Bimmer arrives, I will be calling them more than ever with new questions and concerns.

As I am about to embark on the most amazing journey of my life, I can only smile at the fact that we are now grown-ups. We are now becoming the mothers we always dreamt of being. We are learning from those before us and will put our own spin on parenthood. I can only hope that one day, my daughter will be lucky enough to have friends as awesome as mine. And that one day, she too, can become a great mother. I suppose I just need to make sure I'm a great mom first.

 

 

Thank you to Macy's Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart" promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the

  All opinions expressed here are my own.