Just kidding, my Mom didn’t cuss with us

Back when we were kids, that was Dad’s job. She did encourage us to go after what we wanted, to be what we could dream up and go for it. Of course I latched on to the marine biologist career and flitted off to Monterey, CA. Seriously, who fed us the idea that there are lots of jobs working with ocean critters? Not that you asked,,,, but I had a few jobs counting barnacles, tracking fish in rivers, and measuring oyster responses to crappy living situations (they didn’t have a lot to say). But I couldn’t see it going any further, and jumped into the motherhood bandwagon to try something new. Motherhood, I found out, is beautiful, draining and a whole job on it’s own. I wonder now if when my mom said, “go for it!” she really was saying, “this job is hard, try something easier”. That’s kinda how I took it and found myself pregnant at 31.

It’s Mother’s day, and naturally I’m thinking of my mother and my mother-in-law who are both wonderful and dear to me.

I am so very grateful for all the support and guidance my mothers have given me. They are incredible examples of how to persevere, and love unconditionally. Plus, they have a sense of humor that tolerates all our BS. Without my mothers, I would have floundered. The support I now give my children is a direct result of their strength and determination to grow up beautiful humans for a better tomorrow.

Faith in “it will work out” comes from gratitude.

On our paths, we can make the choice to be grateful despite the hardships, or blame our circumstances. Jack’s painting The Long Way Home is a reminder for me to enjoy the journey. There are cheerful colors in an obviously messy view on a path to an unknown location. In many ways it represents the struggle for Jack to live sober, the lack of clarity we as a couple have had on how to build a home, and through it all, our determination to believe there is joy mixed in it all.

Take responsibility for how you chose to perceive your circumstances.

Now I believe this advice to mean that gratitude is feeling happy enough about your pain and struggle to know that there’s something to learn from it. I am grateful to know my strength as a mother, sister, daughter, friend, lover, partner, and wife. My identity shines bright because of my experiences and how I choose to live with them.

I ask you to take a moment and show gratitude today. I would be forever grateful if that also meant buying The Long Road Home or another painting in the Dream Boats series.

Be well, and remember all the love.

Max

Special thank you to my son Miles for his help taking photos. This was my favorite, I was probably giving too much advice, and Vinny’s hand is poking me. Happy Mother’s day everyone!