my moms

Both my mom and my mother-in-law had less than ideal upbringings. I don't want to go into details but I will say that love, safety, compassion and normalcy weren't constants in their lives. There was anger, chaos, and absenteeism. Their families were living out a pattern, trying to be better than the generation before but struggling. And yet, both of these women chose to do things differently with their own families. They made conscious choices to break out of the patterns and redefine what it meant to be a mother. Their determination and love has made me a better person and continues to shape the way that I parent my own children.
One of them has taught me how to be strong. She has showed me my value and my worth. She provided me with safety, a place to go when I was hurting or confused. She gave me rules and consequences formed out of love with the intention to make me a better person and teach me about responsibility.
The other has taught me that serving others without recognition does not demean me. I do not become less by making others more. I become less by believing that I am more important than the other people around me. She has helped me to temper my strength with compassion and service, something I'm still learning and that I don't often do a good job with. Just ask Sam. :)
I am so grateful for these two women. The one shaped my core, gave me strength, and continues to be a place of safety and love. The other taught me that strength can have a softer side and gave me a new perspective on what influence is. Thank you to my moms for making me a better person. I love you both!

photo by Green Wellies   http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenwellies/1363263123/