To My Boys on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day will forever be a bittersweet day for me; I yearn for my mother to be by my side. It’s one of life’s real cruelties to lose a mother, especially at a young age, because a mother’s love is one that can never be replicated. It’s one of a kind. The bond my mother and I shared was truly symbiotic.

The job of a mother is, ultimately, the most important job. We literally bring life into the world. When I held my boys in my arms for the first time, my life was forever changed. It was no longer just mine. An equally over-joyous and overwhelming feeling consumed me when I thought about the immense responsibility I was about to take on as a mother, yet I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking care of my child better than I could so I took that baby in my arms and motherhood commenced. The bond was formed between mother and son.

My boys are my life. I live to just watch them be their unique little selves. And, the biggest silver lining to come out of this nightmarish pandemic is that I have been able to spend so much quality time with them together and separately. It truly has been a blessing because it is these times that will help build the bond between my boys and strengthen the love they have for each other. These moments will also help cement their bond with me, I hope, and teach them that a mother’s love is all-encompassing.

But as I lay here on the eve of this somewhat muted Mother’s Day, I thought I would write to my boys. Something for them to read (and to look back on) during a time when they lived in a world that was uncertain and precarious.

To my Nico and Maximo:

• I can never fully express how much I love you both in words. Like, I literally can’t find the right words to express how much I absolutely love the two of you…and I’m a writer…talk about ironic.

• I am a very strong woman, but I cry pretty easily so be prepared. You may take turns consoling me and bringing me tissues. Oh, and this will also probably mean you’ll end up marrying someone who is equally as emotional as your mother because that seems to be how things work out so…you’re welcome.

• You are a joy and a pain in my life. When you are happy, I am over-the-moon ecstatically happy for you, but when you are sad it is the most heart-wrenching, hopeless feeling ever because all I want to do is make it better for you and I know that won’t always be possible.

• I have to will myself not to kiss and hug and squeeze you over and over. I am very affectionate so you will need to humor me when I ask for a kiss or I expect a hug every single time I see you. I promise, I will never (intentionally) embarrass you with my affection as you get older.

• You will always be my “babies.” I will try very hard to not coddle you and make sure to give you space, but I can’t promise I won’t use the terms of endearment I have had for you since you were born. Hey listen, your grandpa still calls me “pussycat” and I’m a grown woman for Pete’s sake. Parents adore their kids…what can I tell ya?

• I will lose my patience with you and it probably won’t be pretty….ask your father. But, if I do then you must have done something pretty stupid or pretty bad because I have a lot of patience. So, word to the wise: Don’t make me lose my patience. You don’t want to see the “evil eyes.” Instead, think before you speak or act.

• You will experience some challenges in life. Everyone does. I have experienced plenty so I will be one of the best people to come to when you need a shoulder to lean on or cry on. Yes, I said cry on. It will be ok for you to cry. Men are allowed to cry. I am a very good listener and I promise I won’t try to fix the problem if you don’t want me to. I will simply listen. Just please come to me every once in awhile.

• I stare at you both all the time. I am constantly taking mental photographs of you in my mind because time goes by so quickly and we are never promised a tomorrow. I know that’s pretty morbid, but it’s true. I learned that the hard way with your grandma’s passing, but I adored your grandma so I watched her a lot and have many mental photographs of her to keep me comfort. I hope you will do the same with me.

• You two are going to be tight for life. I can feel it. Yes, you will have disagreements, but I know you will always look out for each other. I am trying to instill that in you both now. I will always encourage you two to be close so don’t get annoyed if you share a room for an unusually long time. Just kidding…maybe.

• I have been blessed with boys who symbolize the love I have for their father and who will forever know me as their mother. I love you both with an unconditional love. A love that you can always count on to carry you through anything. Thank you for making me a mom.