To know me is to know I’m an independent woman. My self-reliant strike got its start at the age of six. Around this time, I’d inform my mom of plans to stay at my best friend’s house for the week, then pack a bag and bicycle my pint-sized self down the road solo. Through high school, college, and life as a young adult, I’ve never been one to get homesick or be known as someone to “miss” my parents.
Then I had a child. All of a sudden, these past few months have found me trying to wrap my head around a whole new level of “Why-can’t-I-live-closer” love for my parents. My mother, especially.
Twice during my maternity leave, my mom, Sandy, drove the 90-minute trip south from Fort Wayne to stay with Nick and I in Muncie for a week. The times she rocked, changed, and got up in the middle of the night with Dean were a god-send for us during those early days of parenthood.
Last week, she and my dad returned from two months of wintering with friends in Florida. My mom stopped to stay with us again for a week as our daycare observed spring break at the university where I work. To say I was excited to have her back in my life this time around would be a massive understatement. Yes, having her help again with Dean was a part of that. More than anything, it was simply her company I found myself missing. Her stories, her laughter, her knack for whipping up a batch of cookies on a whim. There was a night we both crawled under the covers of our hide-away bed to watch TV together over a shared bowl of ice cream. I wouldn’t trade that little memory, and the dozens of others that accompanied them last week, for anything.
Over the weekend, I took her back home and got to see the rest of my family, my brothers, sisters-in-law and sister coming out to my parents’ house to see Dean for the first time since Christmas. I used to wonder why I never moved farther away from home after college, especially given my love for both coasts. Then I had a child. Now I find myself feeling as though living next door to my parents wouldn’t be close enough.
That’s never going to happen. So instead I’ll count down the days until I get to see my parents again—this weekend for their birthdays, actually—and look forward to capturing more sweet moments of them loving on my boy like this.
I know EXACTLY how you feel. That’s how we ended up moving back to Indiana from Michigan, even though I swore I’d never move back here. Kids make you do (or want to do) crazy things.
Oh… AND? Dean has to be the cutest baby around. Well, boy baby, that is ;)
so sweet, gail.
I totally undestand this. I used to think we’d stay in NC forever, but now that the girls are here, plans to move “home” to PA are in full swing. Living 8 hours away from our families is no longer OK with us. Crazy how kids can totally flip your mindset ;)
Gail,
First of all – that sweet boy of yours… man, it’s hard to peel my eyes away from pictures of him. I don’t tell everyone this, but that boy is SO beautiful to look at. Anyway – I know exactly what you mean. I love my space, but there are many times that I just want my mom to share time with my family, especially my girls who adore her so much.
Hi hon, thanks for the kind words. I was happy to help you out. Anytime you need me all you have to do is ask. I enjoyed getting the chance to spend time with you too. I don’t know how you do it. You are amazing. I too sometimes wish you lived closer, but you have to live the life you re so good at. I am so proud of you. Proud of all my kids. When you rode your bike to Kathleen’s I always was watching to make sure you got there. You were so independent. Many years later when you would leave and go back to college, I would lay down on the floor and cry. I missed you already. Are we sappy or what? I
Adore that little guy. He is so darn cute and smiley. See you soon. Much love, mom.
this is so sweet, gail. and your mom’s note on the comment box made me tear up. i miss my mom so much now. :)
So true, Gail! So true…..
Love it! I especially love the comment from your mom in the comments section :)
A beautiful entry … your mom sounds like an amazing woman (especially from her comment!)
OH MY, your mom! Isn’t that a wonderful comment?! I’ve grappled with the idea of home for a long time, since I lived thousands of miles away for five years, my family changed dramatically about five years ago, and I know my hometown is a place I can never live (declining area, major lack of jobs, etc). I think that if I were to have a child, I’d feel the (hundreds, instead of thousands) of miles acutely. I don’t blame you one bit for counting down the time till the next visit!
Mom’s are the best – sometimes they’re the only one who can fill the bill. My mom is on her way back from Florida right now and I can’t wait to see her. Gail, that little guy is just the cutest thing going on! I just want to reach through the screen and kiss his little face!
So true! My sister lives a mere 4 miles away. I’d be lost without her help. I mean, how many dinner guests will bathe and put your baby to sleep while you cook? It makes up for my parents living so far away. I just wish my sister didn’t work so she could help me out on days like today when I am SICK, sick, sick.
This post definitely made me cry on so many levels. I hope that if someday I’m blessed to have a daughter; that she & I will have the relationship that you have with your Mom. This little boy is just so adorable!! :)
Gail…from the cousin who stayed with you guys in the summer I couldn’t get enough of you guys then and even now – I know what you mean. I love this picture of your mom with Dean – priceless…
Love ya…
I’m all teary eyed from reading your mom’s comment! So sweet! Such an adorable picture, too!
The older we get we realize the only thing that really counts is family, and when a family is as close as yours, time spent together is precious. Your little guy is going to grow up with lots of love from all sides. Your momma is a very special lady and she is happiest when all her family is at hand like last Friday night.