Holding Out For A Hero

It's Mother's Day Weekend ... so much planning on the way.  Or not.  This year, Mother's Day gave me a gift a day early.  As much as I did not feel like dragging out my crew on this dreary weathered morning for dance recital pre-photos, I knew that a pit in my stomach would turn sour if I didn't.

We've been waiting for years to be able to fully participate in dance classes.  This little girl has been pointing since I can remember, but never able to make it thru a class from the sensory issues.  This was her year and although there was a rocky start and a lot of tears, we're still here.  She's battled noise and mirrors and self-regulated like a champ.  There were days when she wasn't feeling well in general and that hour of rehearsal put her back together like I could never do for her.

So, I took her up to my room this morning and twisted up her fancy bun as she looked at herself in my oversized mirror.  And although I'm totally weirded out by kids in makeup, I gave her some cheeks, some lashes and a bit of lips.  She put on her leotard and tu-tu and as she tucked the laces into her slippers, I found myself beaming with pride.  Just yesterday she checked out of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a feeding tube change and a quick weigh-in.  Today she's just another beautiful little girl admiring herself in the mirror in a dance recital costume.

That's my gift this year.  That smile.  The smile that says, "I'm proud of myself." What more could a mother want to give a daughter, but confidence and self admiration.  Knowing that you're not perfect, but you're wonderful in the same breath.

My kids have given me a chance to appreciate the little things in a new light and my own childhood has given me the chance to seize opportunities that were never taken.  I'm grateful for both.  Being a mother is not an easy job, but sucking it up and giving it all you have is a recipe for a good life.  No regrets on things that you can foresee and making up for the things that you couldn't with love.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, the ones who would give anything for a stretch mark, anyone missing their mother or wishing their situation was different...  and for the kids who's mother's have wings.  We are all blessed in different ways.  Find your blessing and take it somewhere great.

Sometimes you just have to slow down and look for it.