My Mom was the OG second Mom. Ask ANYONE. Anyone who knew her, loved her and claimed her as their own.
My brothers and I were required to have people over to OUR house. That way she could keep an eye on things. I despised it then, obviously. As the first sleepover I had with a friend from school …mmm… was probably when I was 15.
And of course.. she called it… the parents weren’t home.
Only now, as a Mom do I realize what she knew before the internet told us how to parent… that NOBODY will parent your kids the way you do
…. Except, if you’re lucky, maybe your own Mom or Dad……
I was always amazed by the way she captivated people. My brothers teenage friends (Whom I was secretly..or maybe not so secretly.. smitten with).
My friends- those with or without super involved parents.
Everyone was thrilled to have her in their corner. They shared their secrets, their hopes and dreams, and their worries.
I remember at times feeling jealous, because everyone wanted her.
Tuesday night girl nights with my friends watching One Tree Hill- she was there.
Skipping school with my brothers to ride dirt bikes and 4-wheelers- she was there.
Endless support for the dance and waterskiing days- SHE WAS THERE.
Girls trips to hair-shows where she was always more fun than I was- she was there.
Sledding in the snow, late at night, down our dead-end road.- She was there. She was there… SPECIFICALLY…on the recently-oiled-saucer in true Chevy-Chase Christmas fashion…crashing into snow banks with her children and grandchildren.
So in tribute to my mom. The original second Mom. Momma B. I aspire to be half the Mom you were to me. I also pray that when that friend of my Childs comes knocking feeling as though they have no-one to turn to who understands; or that stranger who needs a ride home or something to eat happens to cross my path; or the neighbor who needs help with her bath gives me a call.
I hope I will be there just as you would.
With Pride and acceptance of anothers’ history and story.
With a listening ear. Quiet. Peaceful. Steady. A soundboard. Saying so much without saying anything.
With undivided attention. Making a child (or adult) feel as though they are the absolute CENTER of my WORLD.
With patience, grace, understanding, safety, respect, kindness.
With Love from me to YOU,
Second Mom Club
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