A LONG distance call

My mom and I went through our phases throughout life, just as I would guess most mothers and daughters do. As I matured and grew we became what I considered best friends in my 20's. When I lived in Charleston, we talked several times a day on the phone. When I moved back to Martinsburg and long distance calls were no longer an issue, we talked all the time. Dad and my brothers used to tease us about our frequent calls so much that I started keeping track. The average was five calls a day. I have no idea what we had to talk about so frequently, but I do wonder if she were here today if I would have to 'up' my texting plan. When I was traveling and she was sick, I would call her in the morning before class, when I dismissed the class for lunch, and at at least once in the evening before I went to bed. It was just what we did.

My mom died on December 13, 2002. Trent was born on June 14, 2003. Looking back on my life prior to then, I believe they were the most profound events with the largest impact on me. I still think about how close they were to meeting each other. I will never forget the warm day in April 2004 when Trent took his first step in our family room. I grabbed the cordless phone and hit the talk button before I realized what I was doing. We had experienced so many of his 'firsts' that year, but it was something about him walking that made me grab that phone. I slowly put it down with a smile.

In the years since her death I realize she has been with me many times, but it isn't the same as being able to pick up the phone. We never shared a Mother's Day and I feel like I should have made a bigger deal out of the day when she was here. I hope she knew how much our entire family appreciated her.

Tomorrow Brad is cooking a big meal and our families are coming over to celebrate all the 'mothers' in our lives. So, to everyone who has lost their mother, is celebrating with their mother, is a mother, or serves as a mother figure to someone...I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!