A Dedication to my Mom, Yvette.

With Family Day a little over one week away, I've decided to begin my own yearly Family Day tradition by writing a dedication to each of my closest family members and sending it to them. This will remind them of how much they mean to me and how much it has meant to have them in my life.

So I begin with a dedication to my Mom, someone who has always been there for me, through thick and thin and during all of the inbetween times.

I have a very hard time with 'letting go'.  I've had to learn to be strong during goodbyes and accept what is and that the dream I may have once had, was just
that , only a dream and dreams don't always come true.

Through all of my goodbyes, my Mother has been there with a sweet smile and a strong and tender heart to help me see that I'm doing the right thing and that she supports me wholeheartedly.

My Mother is like the wisest old traveler who is millions of years old and has shown up on earth just in time for my appearance here, and in the body of a sweet and wonderful woman with a heart of gold,  to guide me and help me each time I stumble, each time I cry and each time I say goodbye.

Through her strength, I'm able to be strong.

By seeing her calm and gentle smile, I'm able to know in my heart that I'm doing the right thing, that I did the right thing, that life will go on and that there is still so much beauty to be found and that one does go on and trusts with all of one's heart and soul once again, for this is earth and there is nothing else to do here, but to go on. 

My Mother has taught me how to say goodbye. My Mother has brought me into the world and taught me how to say hello, and more importantly she has taught me how to appreciate my life and all that I have been given.....hello and goodbye, the stuff of life itself.

Many years ago my Mother gave me a bookmark with the 'Footsteps in the Sand'.
It marks the page of whatever book I'm currently reading and even though my Mom lives a 3 hour drive away from me, I'm always reminded of her gentle guidance whenever I place the bookmark back to mark my place.

In the part where there are only one set of footsteps,  she was carrying me and bringing me strength until she could safely set me down and once again, two sets of footprints would appear on the bisque-coloured sand, while the waves rolled in and out and we walked  along.

Our Mothers or Grandmothers or the women or men who have been our primary caretakers and guides as we grew up, are not Mothers or Grandmothers or guardians at all, they're the epitome of the Great Mystery itself, coming to stand by our sides and help us as we take our short journey here on this magnificent planet.

Thank you Mom. For being in my life and for being my Mother.
Although I tell you often, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you once more just how much I LOVE YOU and how grateful I am that you and I are 'family'.

©2010JoSmith