At certain times in your life you look at where you are, who you are surrounded by, and feel that hard-pressing whisper in your heart that says, "I'm the luckiest girl in the world."
Today I felt that.
So let me tell you why.
My mom has always been my hero. She puts off this eloquence that I wish I could have every single day. In her way with people, in her smile, in her laugh, in her words; she calms you. She believes in people like I wish I could. She never disqualifies someone because of their actions. The benefit is always given, never any doubt. Especially in her children.
Obviously I've never had any experience in not being my mother's daughter, so this is what it's like to be me:
When I was a little girl I never went a single day without my hair being in curls or without an extravagant outfit on. I was doted on and loved and played with by my mom. I remember, one day, I was playing (attempting) barbies in the front room all by myself. All I remember is the warmness that I felt when my mom walked into the room with a smile on her face and sat down and played with me. I was lucky that day. Not many little girls were given a mom like mine.
Then I grew a little and went to school. I swear I went home from school with a bloody nose, knee or elbow, at least, once a week. I was a wreck of a little girl, but I always had my mom to help me laugh things away. I think that's why my mom has such a peace about her; She laughs things away. I want that.
The awkward years came and I was no exception to their terror. I had chubby cheeks, braces, and I had no clue who I was or was going to be. I never told anyone I was scared or lonely or confused about everything at that point, but I made it through because I knew that the smile on my mom's face when I got home from school meant that she loved me; I knew I'd always make it through anything because of that smile.
I was right.
High school came. The real Whitney was buried deep and tight. I became somewhat of a stuck-up teenager. I blew my family off and talked back, if at all, to my parents. I was lost but somehow torn between who I wanted to be at the time and who I was. I was lucky to have my mom. She supported me through her words and love all the way 'till the end. She never raised her voice, but only gave her whole heart and love to me. Even when I didn't deserve it. I made it through because of her.
If you'd ask me, that's a lucky little girl.
My mom gives everything up just to bring happiness to someone else. I grew up doing the twelve days of Christmas, watching her give life to other people's dreams, and I continue to watch her seek out opportunities to bring a smile to someone's face or give hope to someone who is maybe hanging by the last thread. She gives more than I have ever seen any one person give. She gives willingly, with an open heart and sincere love and desire to help.To grow up seeing that constant example is lucky to say the least.
I admire my mom more than anything because she puts her dreams to action. My mom's dreams have always been to make other's dreams come true. She worked long long days on her feet so me and my sister's could go to dance lessons, tumbling lessons, singing lessons, piano lessons and violin lessons. She saw us through, even when we thought we didn't want to pursue or build upon our talents. She gave us confidence and something to live for, and to love. She and my dad saved and sent all of us to college, sacrificing an exciting life for themselves, because they wanted a higher way of living for us.
She set the example of pursuing dreams by going back to school herself. She stayed up late and woke up early and never stopped until her work was perfect. She gave it her all, like she does with everything. I couldn't think of a greater day than when she got her grades and she got her first A's. She smiled; The way she smiles at us when we do great things.
She taught me something important that day: Be proud of what you do. We don't give ourselves enough credit for the good we do in this world. My mom most certainly has never given herself enough credit for all of the inspiration, love and just plain good she gives to the world.
"Most of our life is a series of images.They pass us by like towns on the highway. But sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens and we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever."
-One Tree Hill
So today, I was lucky.
Lucky to be sitting in the drivers seat, listening to my mom calm my fears about the future, and look over only to see an angel. My angel. Someone beautiful, kind, and elegant. Someone to confide in, gain wisdom from, receive love from and love in return. Someone to see myself in, to admire and look up to, to find joy in. Someone to care for me, tell me when I'm wrong, and to love me when I'm wrong. Someone to understand me. Someone to find a best friend in.
That moment will live on forever.
"I believe there are angels among us. Sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me; To teach us how to live. To show us how to give. To guide us with the light of love."
I'm the luckiest girl in the world.
