Happy Mother’s Day

I am my Mother’s daughter.

I have never been ashamed of that.

In my writing I hear her writer’s voice sneaking in; when I read to my students I hear her inflection and her care in preserving character’s voices/personas. Daily I am amazed at the ways we are similar. Sometimes when I say things to my students I hear my Mother’s voice, and it’s in those moments that I know I am getting it right.

The first text she ever sent me (see two weeks ago) was, “There’s a little girl throwing stones in the creek with her red galoshes and her Mom. Ahh wanna go back in time?”

And last week I posted on her facebook wall, “Mom, tonight I think I need to snuggle up on your bed while you grade papers; let’s go back, just for tonight.”

I love my Mom. Lots. Always have. That weird teenage stage where girls hate their mom? Not here, never.

Of all the lessons I learned from my Mother, the one that sits closest to my heart is relationship. She taught me at an early age the value of being present with people, learning their stories, and walking with them as they grow. There is nothing I love more than to journey with people, investing my heart and my time.

I’ve watched my Mother invest in her students and in her friendships for the past twenty-six years of my life. She’s the best teacher I’ve ever seen, and if my teaching or my classroom feels different than others, it’s only because I’ve learned from her how to encourage and push at the same time.

When we generate ideas for writing poetry we often write lists. Here’s my Mother’s Day generating list for you.

Ten things I’m thankful my Mom taught me.

1. Don’t be afraid to be a kid.
2. Being distracted is sometimes really important.
3. Don’t freak out in stressful situations.
4. Drink tea to help you focus.
5. Give specific feedback on writing and relationship.
6. Go outside.
7. Just because you’ve never done it, doesn’t mean you can’t.
8. Set goals. Achieve Goals. Repeat.
9. Forgive, forgive, forgive.
10. There is a big God out there, who does big things; pay attention.