Some of the Things I Get to Do

Mom, this is for you.

I’ve written before about changing one word to make a big difference in how you see things.  These are some of the things I get to do.

Now that I’m retired, I get to spend more time with my mom. My mom voluntarily gave up driving a few months ago, and I know she feels bad asking me to take her places.  We go to the bank, grocery store, doctor appointments, and wherever else she needs to go.  My mom comes with me when I run errands for Alegna Soap®, and it’s nice to have company.  She’s also the first to volunteer to wrap a box of my soaps when I’m busy.

I get to take my mom to places I wouldn’t usually go and do things I wouldn’t usually do.  My sisters and I took her to Chat Noir, this cute tea place in Rockville Centre.  We’ve gone to parks and walked paths I haven’t been to since I was a child. I’m especially looking forward to going to the beach with her this summer. (Since she’s a senior citizen, we can get in during the week without paying for parking!) I even started crocheting again. Since my mom is making prayer shawls for the church, I make them now too.

I get to show my own children, by example, exactly how to treat me when I get older.

One of the things I remember my mom always saying to my dad was “Dom, you make the Kool-Aid, and I’ll drink it”.  She didn’t want to be a burden on anyone. This blog post is a pre-Mother’s Day gift, a public statement to my mom.

Mom, you are not now and never will be a burden to me or my sisters. When we’re together, I get to slow down. It’s nice to take a break. I don’t “have to” do anything with you, I “get to”.  I enjoy the time we spend together and I hope you do too. I “get to” love you.  Thank you for being my mom.

Yours in Gratitude,

Angela