I saw an old friend this week. Often its funerals that bring us together these days. At first, she didn’t recognize me - hesitating, she said, “oh, you’re Jennifer’s mom!”
You see, that’s how I made my friends —back in the day. My besties were those who first knew me as “Jennifer’s mom”, “Darren’s mom”, “Joel’s mom.” My kiddos were my conversation starters, my security blankets, my pride and joy, my purpose —they defined me. People knew me mostly by the kind of mom I was. Blessed times!
Gradually, though sometimes suddenly, we must face the world as just ourselves again—just Linda. Jobs. Kids grow up. Move away. Good things mostly, though some parents must grieve the loss of a precious child.
Most don’t think to ask, “are you anyone’s mother?” I understand my single friends a tiny bit more.
So it’s sweet to hear someone say again, “oh, you’re Jennifer’s mom!” Even better when I get to meet Madelyn’s friends at Starbucks, Cade’s friend hugs me and calls me “MawMaw” and Rylan’s friend comes to the door and asks, “are you Rylan’s grandma?”
#stillblessed
#sograteful
#stillblessed
#sograteful
