What is a mother?

My mother came to visit us for a week, beginning July 7, and culminating on July 12.

I had missed her so much.

I still miss her now.

So who is my mother? She's the woman who gave birth to me. She is a daughter, a sister, a wife. She is a teacher, a friend, a role model. She is a woman of God, a care-taker, a life-giver. She is a runner. She is a biker. She is a work out fiend. She is an inspiration. She is Tina..


She nourished me in her womb for months, helping me grow. She is the one who brought me into this world. She counted my fingers and toes. She wrapped me tight so I was as snug as a bug in a rug. She sang to me. She rocked me, bathed me, dressed me, cuddled me. She watched me sleep, offered her body as food. She taught me my ABC's and 1,2,3's. She showed me how to walk. She (maybe reluctantly) taught me how to talk. She kissed my boo-boos. She did my hair. As the years passed, she continued to help me grow. She stood by me through the first day of school, from school yard bullies, friends with pretty pink unicorn lunchboxes, friends who became enemies...She helped me learn, encouraging me to try my best in everything I did. She nurtured my mind.

She guided me through middle and high school. Through the rejections, struggles with weight, self-confidence, inner peace. She saw my first heart-ache. She held me as I cried, and listened as I babbled with "young love". She made fun of my now husband, thinking he was a girl from behind. She teased, politely, as we grew closer. She supported our decisions together. She accepted him into her family long before it became "official". She helped me shop for prom dresses, did my hair, endured melt-downs. She went to my show choir and drama productions. She supported me in growing. She nurtured my heart. She nurtured my talents.

She encouraged me to become a helper. She encouraged my dreams of music therapy and music education, helping through college with tuition, books, room and board, gas... She was there to listen to rants and raves through the phone. She picked me up when I was sick, and came to everything I invited her to. She was there the day I entered, and the day I left AMC. She was there when I hated my internship, and doubted my calling. She was there through Evan's enlistment, and cried with (and for) me. She helped me see him more than once. She nurtured my dreams and my soul.

She was there for my wedding. From picking out the venue, to dress shopping, to the wedding day, my mother never left my side. She opened her nest so I could spread my wings and fly.

She proudly welcomed a new son into our family.

She visited us. She watched us as a couple. As an established family of our own. I'm sure it is not easy to see your daughter be grown, and yet she watched with a smile and a chuckle as we showed her our life together.

My mother is a hero. She is a role model. She shows me every day how to love, be loved, and to love myself.

I miss her so much, but I know that she misses me too. We are always connected, through our many bonds. We are never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart..