You think at a certain age that you have it ALL figured out. Well, I am constantly amazed at how much I learn and grow. My daughter Gentry is home from college for the Summer. We had a really nice day together. She went with me to my office, helped me ship boxes to CA for my event next week, and she is not only my daughter, but she is my friend. I think as our children grow and find their independence it's so cool when they ADMIRE you and want to be with you. Today as we drove back home, she told me that she was lucky that I have been a great mom. It felt so good to hear this. Wow, trust me there was times when she was "not a fan" growing up. I remember her telling me that she used to write mean things about me in her journal. ha!
Today we took this photo as we sat in the car together "chatting" about life. THESE are the important EVERYDAY MOMENTS that I live for. It's crazy that my girls are always coming to me for advice and let's just say it's HARDER as they get older. It's just not... "mom, what should I wear today?" It's WHAT should I major in college? What do you think of this new boy? ha... you know bigger life decisions. Anyway, I am so thankful that they come to me. We are extremely close. I always wanted this. I was very close with my mother and sister. It was just the three of us. My mom was strict on values and expectations and she parented with such love and true concern for me that I never wanted to disappoint her.
So this afternoon, Taylor called me. She said, "Mom, please read my blog at 6pm." I was okay... what is going on? She would not tell me. So it was very EXTREMELY touching to read what she wrote from her heart. In my 21 years of parenting- THIS was something that I had NO IDEA that Taylor felt about me. It helped me to realize that Taylor has been watching me for 21 years and she "knows me." Hmmmm... now, I am so not perfect. I am so far from it. However, she overlooked the bad and focused on the positive. THANK YOU TAYLOR!
I debated whether to share it. However, I am going to. I want all of you- as parents to KNOW and realize how much our children gain from us.
So now I will share Taylor's blog post from today:
Meet my mom Teresa Collins.
Anyone who knows me really well knows how close me and my mom are. She really is my best friend. I see her a LEAST once a week if not more and talk on the phone with her everyday. She is my best friend and greatest supporter.
Something was said today to me that really hurt my feelings and embarrassed me. I immediately thought of calling my mom because me and her think the same way. But instead of calling her I starting thinking about all the things I have gotten from her. It made me feel better know I will always have her as a ally.
So here are a few things I have inherited from this lovely woman.
1. I got her soft heart. I may seem tough on the outside but you could say something to me joking and I would leave and cry for hours over what was said.
2. I got my tear ducts from her. We cry all the time and over really silly things. TV Shows, books, movies, when were sad. We are also copycat criers. If we see someone crying we tend to start tearing up too.
3. We both hate confrontation. We are people pleasers. I hate saying no and hate standing up to people and telling them what I really feel.
4. She is really creative. I am not nearly as creative as her but luckily some of it has rubbed off on me.
5. Thinker. We are thinkers which can sometimes be a bad thing. We tend to over think things.
6. Kindness. I am really proud of my mom in this aspect. It is amazing to me she can be so kind to someone who has done wrong to her. I am still working on this but hope to be as forgiving and kind as her but think I do pretty well.
7. Thank goodness I got her drive. Nothing can stop the two of us when we get our heart into something.
8. I got my moms temper. I remember when I was little when my mom would get mad and I said I would never act like that. I so do though. Because we think so much alike when we get mad you know it. The few fights we have been in with each other were not pretty.
9. Courage. Even though I hate confrontation she gave we courage to do other things. Courage to be anything I want. Courage to try new things. Courage to Become the best me possible. Courage to step off my given road and explore what else I can do.
10. I got something I like to call Mama Bear Syndrome from her. Typically this syndrome is a parent protecting their children. However with me and my mom we need to protect everyone we see. It is funny actually since we hate confrontation but if we see anyone hurt we quickly stand up for them.
I got so much more from her but here are a few examples.
It is actually funny because Spencer is always saying to me "That is so like your mom." or " Do you know you sound just like your mom?" I am so grateful for My wonderful Mother and everything she does for me.
Love you tons and glad your my Best Friend.
THANK YOU TAYLOR... I love you very much!!!!!!!!!!
