At the drop of a hat, my mom can be anything: mom, friend, teacher, coach. Anything, she’s got it.
Even at 22, the first person I think to call whether I am sad, happy, or in need of some advice is my mother. No matter the weather, the mood, or the situation, she answers. No matter the distance, which at the moment is 1,799 miles, she is my best friend and biggest supporter.
I played softball for 10 years. A decade full of softball games during all four seasons. My mom never missed a one. We would spend our weekends packed up in whatever Chevy SUV she had at the time, traveling anywhere from three hours to Miami or 15 hours to Alabama. With my dad working so much, it was usually just her, me, and my younger sister Charley.
These weekends were spent drinking orange juices out of a red cooler, waking up to the sticky humidity of South Florida, and multiple missed turns thanks to Google Maps. While growing up, my mom was not afforded the opportunities and support system to play the sport of her dreams, so she made sure I could. It didn’t matter if it were the state championship game or a 30-minute batting practice, she was there.
If someone were to tell me my mom was in 100 places at the same time, I would believe them. She has sacrificed so much and strayed away from her comfort zone to make sure my sister and I can have everything we have ever wanted.
When I was in middle school, she started working as a substitute teacher. For some, having a parent at school might be a nightmare, but for me, it was my dream. I could pop into her classrooms whenever I liked and always knew I had someone there to help.
Beyond my sister and I, my mom has been a mother figure to so many more. She has been involved with my former K-8 school for over a decade. When I was still in attendance, most often referred to me as “Mrs. Missy’s daughter.” She goes above and beyond to make everyone feel special and heard, no matter who they are. Throughout my time at home, so many peers, friends, and teammates also saw my mom as their mother figure.
The second my sister was able to pick up a bat, not only did my mom sign her up for softball, but she signed up to be the coach. She had never played softball, but wanted to be more than just a fan in the bleachers for my sister. For 10 years, my mom was not only responsible for Charley, but for a different group of girls every season. She still coaches today, even though my sister is in high school and not on her team.
Currently, my mom continues to amaze me as she has taken on a role in a special education classroom. It takes another level of care and patience to do what she does, and she does it because she loves it. I look forward to the FaceTime calls I get during the school day from her and her students, who you can tell adore her.
My mom is the reason I am the person I am today. She has taught me to always be early (sometimes a little bit too early), approach everything with compassion, and to never stray away from what you believe in. She has been by my side, even when I decided to move days away from home.
Since I will not be able to celebrate the upcoming holiday with her, I made sure to send her a card with all of my love. I understand Mother’s Day is not as joyous for everyone, but the holiday is about more than appreciating your biological mother. It’s about appreciating all of the women in your life, whether they are cat moms, adoptive moms, or someone you just look up to.
From all of us at The Lincoln County News, we hope all mothers and maternal figures have a happy Mother’s Day!
