Mothers' Day

It's always hard to be away from loved ones on holidays. It's especially hard when you grew up in the same house as those loved ones and spent every day, not just holiday, with them. But you grow up, you make it work, and life goes on. Until something reminds you to stop and remember, stop and feel, stop and spend time.

This morning I woke up to this posting on Facebook:

Thoughts on being a Mom: I feel blessed and I wouldn't have it any other way, or wouldn't have changed a thing...Chris and I both agree we have wonderful children who have found their way in life, care about others and have taken the 'high road'....as Moms we both feel blessed in how our children have matured and it is because there has always been a place for them to come home to with unconditional love....Happy Mother's Day everyone! Thank you Ben, Liz, Sarah and Angela for making us GREAT!!!! - Marilyn

And I instantly played back my last thirty-four years, spent with these two wonderful women, all these wonderful people, and I stopped. I realized that although I am far away from them both, I'm not really. I'm so close. And for that, I am so grateful. Beyond grateful.

Today I got to spend an hour and a half talking with my mom on the phone. I got to hear all about her day and about everything - the big and the little things. I got to just sit on my couch and talk. That was awesome. To me, even though I am thousands of miles away from her and Marilyn, I felt like I'd come home. Just hearing her voice, just being present with her, was all I needed to be reminded of that love. That love that no matter the miles or the circumstances, never goes away.

So today, and every single day, I thank God for my mom, for Marilyn, for my family - far and close. And I remember how very lucky I am.