Who is my mother’s daughter? Is she the child she birthed, the first to know what her heartbeat sounded like, that grew up to be a young woman trying to navigate the world with such naiveté? Is she the woman who almost lost her entire soul when her brother was tragically killed at 18 years old? Is she the woman who watched her mother, the daughter’s mother, cry that soul wrenching cry that only a mother would have that had her son, her child, was taken from her far too soon and without an “I love you”?

Is she the mother’s daughter who married a man whom she didn’t really know, probably didn’t love all that much, but wanted to leave her mother’s house; he had his own apartment which appealed to the mother’s daughter – you know, trying to be “grown” and get out on her “own”?

Is she the mother’s daughter who had her very own baby, the baby that knows the heartbeat of the mother’s daughter, who watched her mother love that child like nobody’s business? Is she the mother’s daughter who had her mother help raise that beautiful baby girl, to nurture her, to provide guidance, to be the best Granny ever? Is she the mother’s daughter who was always by my side, never leaving me – maybe because she was afraid to let me go; I was the only child left? Or was it because she wanted me to “figure it all out”?

Is she the mother’s daughter who finally – finally – saw happiness in her daughter’s face when she knew she had found THE ONE; the person that would take care of her and her daughter, to be their provider, protector, the man she knew her daughter could depend on?

Is she the daughter’s mother who knew that her daughter would be okay, and moved back to where she was born and raised to take care of her mother? Is she the daughter who nurtured and cared for her mother during her elder years, the one who was with her when she closed her eyes for the final time?

Is she the daughter’s mother who fought and beat cancer once; it came back stronger the next time? Is she the daughters mother who learned from her mother to NEVER GIVE UP, GOD’S GOT YOUR BACK? Is she the daughter’s mother who fought the good fight, but her body was tired and God took her away – away to be with those who loved her (her younger brother, her mother, father, uncle and son)? She needed to be with them. They needed to be with her. The mother’s daughter needed to navigate her life, to see where it would take her, why it took her that way, but still missing her mother every single day.

Would she be the daughter’s mother who would spoil rotten her daughter’s son, Brendan? He’s cute, so more than likely he would be chained at her hip; both having that serious sweet tooth, eating candy at night before bed. She would be his protector, probably because he would remind her of her son so much, and she would treat him just the same. The daughter’s mother would help her daughter to love herself more than anything in the world, to keep her head up, and not to be too hard on herself when things just didn’t seem to be heading in the right direction, and to always – always o her very best; she’s smart and sassy and can do anything she puts her mind to. I mean that’s how the daughter’s mother raised me. I think she did a fantastic job.

You see, the mother’s daughter and the daughter’s mother will forever be connected, as I, too, have beautiful grandchildren – they are absolutely my entire world. I hope that I will be able to one day teach my son (and his children one day) and daughter and granddaughters the lessons my mother and grandmother taught me, as hopefully, God willing, they, too, will pass those treasures on to their kids and grandkids.

So Happy Mother’s Day – take time to enjoy what all of life has to offer. Live your best life to the fullest, as tomorrow is not promised.