Moms, today, you will receive an inside look into the mind of a daughter. I share a glimpse into what many sons and daughters think but too often fail to express. After you finish reading this and go about your life, I hope that you carry these words with you in the back of your mind. I hope that they encourage you and warm your heart. You deserve it.
We will drive you to doubt it at times.
My relationship with my Mom has seen the highest of highs and some of the lowest of lows. At a young age, I battled with severe mental health disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an anxiety disorder. On and off for about eight years, they were debilitating and controlled almost all aspects of my life. I missed months of school at a time, desperate to hide from my fears, rather than facing them. I doubted if life would ever get better. My mother refused to let me give up, whatever it took or cost. So, I pushed her away. I refused her demands, her advice, her pleas, her comfort, everything. I took my fear out on her and she did the same. For years she fought for me when I couldn’t find the strength to fight for myself. She saved my life. I never gave her enough credit for that, or even thanked her.
After I took my life back, I did a lot of pushing of boundaries and acting selfishly in my teenage years. I would keep her up late at night. I would choose a party over family time or being by her side in times of need. I would ask for too much, taking advantage of her generosity. I am ashamed.
We see you.
You continuously put on a brave face for your family, valiantly shielding us from the real burdens of the world. You speak positively and attempt to conceal your emotions. Sometimes, you confide in us, but not to the extent that you might like to. I notice. I see the exhaustion on your face, the fear and distress in your eyes. I hear the strain in your voice. I proudly watch as you get up every morning and go to work, no matter how badly you might wish you didn’t have to. I observe you transform back into “Mom mode” later that day. You devote hours to fulfilling our basic needs and spending quality time. You give us your ears for listening, your kind words for encouragement, and your arms for comfort. I notice as your eyes become heavy and you fall asleep on the couch, while the rest of us watch TV. I see you. We see you.
You are a superhero. Never doubt it.
Many of our worlds revolve around you. Many of our experiences are because of you. Many of our favorite physical and personality traits are from you.Many of your actions and decisions are made with you in the back of our minds. Many of our dreams and goals are modeled after yours. Many of our heroes are you. Think of yourselves as highly and appreciatively as your children do. Love yourself as infinitely as your children do. You deserve it.
Thank you,
Grateful daughter
Author:
Lindsey Daniels, Marketing Intern