Bittersweet Mother's Day Thoughts

Warning: have kleenex handy!

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: 

"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

Happy Mother's Day!
By: Spring in the Air***

I found this letter to practically rip out my heart. The story of my mother's death is here and my struggle with my sister's death here. It is hard for me to remember the exact moment when our roles reversed, my mother and I; when I became the adult and my mother the child. I wish I had read this letter years ago to give me perspective as our roles were changing and we were both resistant to that reversal. As I have aged I have become more compassionate towards what my mother must have felt. Too bad wisdom doesn't come at a younger age!

I hope you will take time to read my own words of encouragement to those with moms, sisters and female family members. On this day set apart to honor mothers, take time to say "I love you" and "I appreciate you" to those women who have given your life meaning and significance.

***Found this through facebook. I did a search for the author of this letter but all I could find was Spring was in the Air.