Today’s cold felt especially cold. Probably colder than the temperatures actually read. It was wet. A bit rainy. The wet-cold always manages to find its way through your outer layers. And often through the inner layers too. Somehow your shoulders and your knees always end up chilled (do you get chilled knees? I do.) and you regret not wearing the scarf that you debated bringing just before you left. And then, it seems the cold can’t be shaken until a hot shower is taken. Like the hot shower is some sort of magic reset button. Otherwise, it remains.
I’m going to take a hot shower just after I’m done here.
Steve has been away. He comes home soon and for that, I am glad, because I miss him. But my Mom has been in town. Like some sort of modern day Florence Nightingale (loose parallel here), she’s come to help me keep house and home in my husband’s stead. Having her in my home is such a treat. She’s one of my favorite people and, I’m not just bragging when I say this, I’m one of hers. I realize that this is not entirely usual for a mother and daughter and that I should be really grateful for this sort of reciprocal relationship. And I am. I like to treat her when she’s here. It seems that a mother who raised me well should be treated when she visits my home. No question, she’s done a lot for me. It’s the least we can do for our parents, right? I like doing it.
I made the tortilla soup one night. And sweet potato burritos tonight. And oatmeal pancakes this morning. But, it’s easy because while I’m measuring and mixing and stirring and flipping, she’s reading books to Parker or playing on the ground with him and poking her head in to talk to me every few minutes. When I go up to put him to sleep, the kitchen is always tidier than when I left. There’s no fuss about it, she just does it. She’s treating me too. I think she must remember those days of mothering keenly. Not everyone does. But as she empties the dishwasher for you or folds the laundry, no questions asked, I can only assume she remembers them well. We enjoy a glass of red wine or some pumpkin beer in the evening. And then, before bed, a mug of chamomile tea.
I’m blessed to have her.
Thanks for coming, Mom.
Enjoy your time with your Mom!
we made your tortilla soup when my mom came to visit last week. she loved it!
Your mom makes me want to be a mom. You make me want to be a mom. Done.
This sounds absolutely heavenly! Enjoy your time!!
fantastic. enjoy the time with each other
such a blessing. i have that with my ma and i've come to realize how rare it is.
i love that about my mum too–she just knows where i am at and what i am thinking and she just gets on and helps bless her.
Moms are the best, there's no doubt about it. Your mom sounds like a straight up grandma-aged Mary Poppins though. Except when she's done being Mary Poppins and working her magic, she kicks her feet up and has a beer with you.
Your mom sounds like one of the best. It's such a blessing to have a mom that you're friends with, isn't it?
Oh gosh, this one has me crying.
Your relationship with you mom reminds me of mine. My mother is the type of person who just jumps in and helps, doesnt make a fuss, doesnt draw attention to it she just does it, and it is so appreciated (though sometimes I feel bad because she is a guest and cleaning haha, and I dont have kids yet!) But I cant think of anything that feels so loving as walking back into the kitchen and it is already cleaned from dinner. It is those simple acts of kindness and love that just make my heart feel warm. I wish I lived close to my mom so that we could see each other more, my husband and i are hopefully moving back home near our families this June, and once we have our baby, I just cant think of anyone better then family to have around.
Ah there is nothing like having your mom around. I love hearing how close you are with her, makes me miss mine.
mom's are the best. sounds like the coziest tradition ever!
moms are the ish.
awww sweet post!
@nessa, so glad you liked it!
@jackie, YES. like one of the hugest blessings.
@lady lee, oh friend. glad you have your own mama not too far away!
@laura, sounds very similar. you will be so lucky to live close to them (hopefully!).
Oh this sounds so much like me and my mom…she lives clear across the country and I don't see her nearly enough. Thanks for making me cry at work 🙂
Beautiful! I love my mom so much but I ache to have this type of relationship with her. You are very lucky.
I loved reading this because I had such a similar week. Although really, my mom treated me a lot more than I treated her (ugh, I should be better!). We are so lucky to have moms that we really love staying in our homes. I know lots who don't, and I'm so grateful! I'm glad you were able to enjoy her. And sheesh… we're feeling the same temperatures and I'm wondering where fall went? It's straight up winter here already.
This post is so sweet! What a beautiful relationship you and your Mom have. I hope to have the same with my Mom when I have kids 🙂
Just found you via Marvelous Kiddo and I like your blog so far! Your mom sounds particularly special, as does your relationship.
I instantly felt a bit of a kinship when I read your About page, because my own husband is 15 years older than me- although children are not yet in the cards for us. I am fantasizing hard, though! 🙂
Bridget, I love this post. The words, the images. Amazing. And your mom sounds so swell.
oh marianne. what doesn't she do well?
Aw, that's so sweet. Mothers can be such a breath of fresh air. It's nice to feel like the child again sometimes!
i miss my mom! she's going to come visit me next year and i can't wait!
I love hearing about your relationship with your mom – I have a very similar relationship with my mom. I love reading your blog! It makes me smile.
Aww this was just the sweetest post and loved how you said…my husbands stead. What a beautiful relationship you have with your mom. PS – what are these sweet potato tacos u speak of, because I tried to imagine it in my head when u talked about them a few days ago – and made something, but have a feeling it is totally not the same thing 🙂 I just put chicken on a sweet potato 🙂 xo
Sigh 🙂
(just discovered your blog and am thoroughly enjoying getting to know you!
That was so sweet and made me feel some jealously towards you. I wish I had this type of relationship with my mom. We are close but not like this, your message to your mom was so sweet. I recently became a mom and she is the love of my life. While reading this, I just kept thinking I hope my daugher and I have this same relationship. Cherish every moment!
Great post… Moms are the best. My mom is totally one of my favorite people. I hope my daughter and I have a relationship like you describe with your mom someday.
For me it's the toes that I can't ever get warm again without a hot shower!
Great post Bridget. I think mom is pretty fabulous. And I feel so lucky that she has been our teacher, not just with words but with actions that back up her lessons. She's the best. Love you too sis.
This is really, really sweet. It seems like having a child must bond you to your mother. You must finally "get it" or something. I definitely get along with my mom, but we aren't close like this. This post is so sweet (I think I already said that, but it's worth repeating). I'm glad you got some quality mom time while Steve was gone 🙂
The second to last paragraph is so awesome. I could've spoken the same words about my own mom. We're lucky to have such great moms–thanks for the reminder. 🙂