Things I Didn't Appreciate About My Mother Until She Was Gone

Five years ago, my mom died.  

In those years, I can’t even count the number of times I’ve thought “Oh!  I need to tell Mom about — ” only to realize again that I won’t be able to do that in this lifetime.

I learned so much from my mother, but there are many things I didn’t appreciate until she wasn’t there anymore.  It’s true what they say, you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.

Things like …

The advice that I didn’t ask for but that I sorely needed.

Unsolicited advice is never on anyone’s wish list, but when you’ve got a mother that has your best interests at heart, you’d be smart to listen.  Sometimes I did, sometimes I didn’t.  But I probably should have more than I did.

Her wisdom, which cut to the core because it was so honest and true.

She had years of experience on me, had seen many more people deal with many more issues than me, and she’d seen the outcome of their choices, as well as dealing with her own.  She was far more wise than I gave her credit for.

Her unapologetic stance on anything that was important to her.

My mom’s disclaimer was always “This is my two cents.  You can take it or leave it.”  That may explain my affinity for the John Reuben song.  When she felt something needed to be said, she wasn’t afraid to put it out there.

Her no-questions-asked, sacrificial living because of her love for her family and others.

Sure, the cliched mother is the most giving person in our society, but my mom actually lived that way.

Her ability to see through my words (or lack of them) to the real heart of the matter.

Many moms seem to have this uncanny ability to read between the lines and get to what you’re thinking.  At least, mine did.

I had an amazing mother, and I know how much of a blessing that was.  Not everyone has that opportunity.  

But all moms, great and not-so-great, leave us with something, whether it’s how to live your life, or how not to live your life.

What do you appreciate most about your mother?