Full of Grace

Since this weekend is Mother’s Day, I wanted to pay tribute to my mother and all the mothers who do a great job at what I consider the “hardest job in the World.”  While my mother, Grace, and I are not very close (given a large generational gap and an even larger gap in our World views), I still would never choose another mother. My mom has been the example of steadfast perseverance and well, grace!  (As an aside, Nancy means “full of Grace.”)

In my moments of, let’s just say grace-less-ness, I’ve often wondered how my mother always kept it together.  As a mother of six children, with a very traditional husband, and not a lot of money or support to make life easier, I’m amazed at how well she did.  I honestly question how I would fare in the same circumstances.

In choosing a picture of my mom and I to post with this article, I saw something I hadn’t noticed before.  I saw a picture from 11 years ago at my parent’s 50th Anniversary and a picture from one year ago at their 60th Anniversary.  The difference is dramatic. 

In the earlier picture, this is how I remember our relationship most of my life.  Cordial, respectful, but always with an unspoken distance.  I used to call it the “Great Divide” when I was younger.

In the later picture, I see what I hope is a bridging of that great divide.  I don’t remember many times in my life that my mom was this affectionate, this close, this…vulnerable.  Maybe it’s a sign of the wisdom that – sometimes – comes with age.  Maybe, just maybe, we are beginning to realize that despite our differences, there is nothing that can replace a mother’s and daughter’s love.

My mom and I at my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary.

10 years later, my mom and I at my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary.