Because she reads this site every day and deserves a shout-out every now and again

With so much happening in the next few weeks, I was afraid taking the time and finding the space to say something really important would escape me, so I'm doing it now when I should be doing laundry (story of my life: I do almost everything when I should be doing laundry).

This past year has been incredible and stunning in its hugeness (baby! house! car! trips! new website! huge new role at work!), but when I look back on it, I know it would have been impossible without a few things and none of those consist of my patience, that's for damn sure. But there's one thing in particular and that would be my mother.

I don't know how often I really talk about her, but it's not (nor will it ever be) enough. She has taken Kyle every, single time I've asked, so I could nap or go out with my friends or go out with my husband or go to Vegas (no, really) or go to the movies alone. She's done it gladly and enthusiastically and when I talked to her at one point from our hotel room in Sin City, she said, "I just want to thank you for giving me this time with him. I feel so lucky." I was already two tequila shots into the night, so the tears were damn near impossible to stop, but her sentiment wasn't shocking or out of character. That's just my mom.

My mom brings me champagne when I ask and buys me the good gifts off my wish lists and tells me how much she admires me, which makes me a wee bit worried about her, I won't lie. My mom doesn't care if I say fuck and doesn't tell me to be anyone but who I am. She tells me I'm a good mom, which is the very best compliment you can give me, probably the very best compliment you could give any mom, you should know.

I say all this mostly because the road our relationship has taken has been rocky at times and rocky is a really, really nice way of putting it. We've both hurt each other and said hateful things and betrayed the other. Yet, if I called her now, at nearly midnight, she'd hop in her car and be here as quickly as possible. No matter what it is I needed from her.

More than anything though, when she walks in our front door and sees Kyle, her love for him is written all over her. I don't even light up the way my mom does when she sees him, and that's something I am able to give him that my own parents were never able to give me. My two grandmothers weren't loving or even present in my life, and if you ever wonder why I don't just shut the hell up about how much I dislike Texas and just, you know, MOVE, I'll remind you of two women: my mother and Mike's. It's why weren't not going anywhere, at least not for a little while. I won't take away from him what I was never fortunate enough to have.

I've said it to my mom before, and because I know she doesn't always believe me when I say nice things, I want to say it again on the Internet because I'm pretty sure that makes it Official Truth: we'd be so damn lost without her.

Kyle would be so lost without you, mom, and we're all just ridiculously lucky to have you.

Also, bring champagne tonight. Thanks!

Comments

[lauren]

I love this post. Your mom is amazing and so are you. It is crazy all the stuff you have on your plate right now. I'm so happy for you. Your mom sounds fantastic and really special. I feel the same way about my mom.

[Vos]

Hooray for awesome moms!!!

[Beth Fish]

Amen, sister. We think sometimes about moving somewhere cheaper where me not working would be easier to maintain, but I will not take my children away from their grandparents if I can possibly avoid it. It is something I missed myself too, and I think it is so good for my kids to have it.

[Jess]

This is so sweet. I'm so glad you and Kyle have this positive force in your life.

[Kristie]

You're momma's pretty cool, I agree. Bring me some champagne tonight for me too, please. ;-)

[Christina]

This had my in tears, Jennie! You are so lucky, which, you clearly know.
My mom is about 2300 miles away physically but emotionally she may as well be on the moon- she's only 51 and has a lot of years left in her and yet, her time is too valuable to be bothered with her 4 daughters or their (4- soon to be 6) children. It's a hurt I push away, this brought it all to surface. I will call her today to tell her I love her, because, even with it all, I so do.

[Kristabella]

What a lovely post. I'm so happy that Kyle has such an awesome Grandmother! I've seen friends who have the opposite and it makes me sad. Mostly because I'm like that now as an aunt and if I ever have kids, you can damn well be sure I'll be stealing my grandkids away, even when they don't ask!

[Heather]

You made me all teary. I wish my mom didn't care if I said the f word!!!! Seriously, I have met your mom a couple of times, and she is totally enamored with Kyle, and honestly sweet as pie. Kyle was seriously born into the best circle of life you could present a kid. He is constantly surrounded by love.

I hope that your mom reads this and knows that, even if I had never met her, I would be pretty darn impressed with her after reading this post. She rocks.

P.S. She's adorable, too! So cute!

[Leah]

OK, TEARS!! That was so sweet...

[Crystal]

Your Mom does Rock!! It was great to see her (and you!!) tonight!! Hugs, Crys

[6512 and growing]

The grandmother/grandchild relationship is such a blessing. It's like the biggest win-win-win ever!

[Mrs. D]

Awwww! She sounds like a wonderful mom and a wonderful grandma.

[Shelly]

You are SO LUCKY.

[Kerri Anne]

Yaay! for moms.