The Woman Needs a Cape

“Was that your Mom I saw again in the parking lot?” my colleague said, her look inquisitive as if it were narcotics we were swapping vs. Target finds on work grounds. Though at this moment when respiratory infections have swept our household again, I may just take her up on it if that’s what she was delivering…

“Why yes, yes it was. She was dropping some stuff she picked up for the new nursery,” I said with a grin, watching her face change to what I’m unsure, but could have been pity, jealousy or just support.

And jealous she should be! In the past month alone, my Mom has initiated, helped, or just took care of the following: purchasing holiday gifts and wrap, running the family pooch back and forth to doggiecare, taking several round trips to the airport, watching our goopy nosed, not quite himself (read: honery) pre-schooler on sick days, wrapped most of our holiday gifts, helped prepare meals, organized closets and the basement in our home, run personal errands such as nabbing birthday gifts or knitting a baby gift for tomorrow’s shower, researched products, got dizzy on the merry-go-round distracting little dude while I ran that one errand at the mall, found the perfect maternity clothes to add to my collection and so much more. I swear it’s nearly on an every-other-day basis that I hear that familiar ring of the iPhone and she’s offering to come to the rescue in some way.

The woman needs a cape!

If you’re the sewing type, it should probably be red, white or black, because she doesn’t sway far from that palate.

Bottom line: I don’t know what I’d do without her, and I surely don’t know what I did to deserve any of this. I’m uncertain as to what motivates her to help us out so significantly, but I’m going to spend each minute of every day being incredibly grateful for it. And you know what’s even better?

She’s fun. Loving, Understanding. Patient. Open to ideas. Even flexible at times. Smart. Efficient. Resourceful. Impressive.

I can only hope I’m half as gracious and kind as she is when I’m 60. Oh wait – I’m going to have sons and they will have forgotten me by then…

Mom, may you always know how incredibly loved and appreciated you are – not just for all the big and small things you do, but for the woman and remarkable person you are. Even if you took all those things away, we’d love the same amount of moments spent tidying up our incredibly chaotic life just to sit and embrace you for all that you are and all that you’ll be. We could never give back an ounce of what you’ve provided for our family, but then I suspect that doesn’t even cross your mind as you give and give.

Thank you for being fabulous, wonderful, you.

Seriously – you deserve a cape.