A Mother's Love

When I was a little girl I remember the warm feeling that would overtake me when I was being held in my mother's arms. At age 36 it is hard to recall those moments because they were so long ago, coupled with the fact that most of us stopped being held by our mothers around age 3. Because I was a very needy child in the way of needing to be held and nurtured, I would find myself asking to be loved quite often. . .even if it was an inopportune moment for my mother. Even now I can see every line in her face and the way her mouth curved when she smiled at me. The sweet smell of Olay that she rubbed on her face and neck to smooth out the timely lines of age. The way her hair flowed around her neck and how it would twist around my fingers and slide out of the barrettes because it was thinning when I would play hair salon with her. The way she would look at me with love in her eyes when I would gaze into hers unknowingly. My mother was a woman of few words, but I knew that she loved me. It has taken me a very long time to understand the depths of love that she had for me, but having children of my own has show me how much. I used to think that she loved me less because she was unable to tell me daily how she felt, but I now know different. My mother loved me with her heart and soul. She provided for me and gave me what she thought I needed. She held me and took care of me when I was sick, and pushed me along to do the things that I thought I could not do on my own. I am my mother's daughter. I am strong, independent, and loyal. . .just like she is. I am a survivor and someone you can depend on in life. I have learned to work a 16 hour day on my feet. . .just like my mother did for me. I have learned to sacrifice so that my children will have what they need. . .just like my mother did for me. I have learned the value of strong family ties and being there for one another. . .just like my mother was for me. My mother loved me with all of her being. . .just like I love my own little angels. I guess that is what a mother's love is all about. Teaching. . .providing. . .nurturing. . .helping. . .loving.