"Mother Like Mine": A Tribute to my Momma

I remember the first time I heard this song.  I had made a quick trip to Target to buy The Band Perry’s newest album because I had liked the first one so much, and I just had to see for myself what the album “Pioneer” was all about after hearing the radio hosts raving about it. 

The radio, though, never seems to broadcast the other random songs placed on the album.  Unless you buy the artists albums, some really great singles never make it to the limelight to deserve its worthy public attention.  And this was one of them. 

Track 8 on the album, titled “Mother Like Mine” was one of those songs I instantly fell in love with from the moment I heard the first set of chords.  Without a second thought, I knew I wanted to dedicate this song to you one day.  (Click the link below for lyrics and video to this song).

http://youtu.be/XwuMfUjIBCc

It’d simply be easy to play the song for you, Momma, but there’s so much more to you than is explained in lyrics accompanied by the gorgeous string of chords and melody. I wanted to do something more, and I figured I explained myself best in my cathartic expression through writing.  I will explain to you, by delineating the bolded and italicized lyrics, why I think you’re the best Mother in the world—and I’m sure that goes for just about anyone and their own mommies.

So, this song is dedicated to you Momma; please know, however, that not even the incredible lyrics come close to explaining what you mean to me—and to all of us.

You, momma, are the sky that holds the clouds.  You are strong.  While you may often feel emotionally weak, I think you are one of the strongest women I know.  Amidst the face of adversity and grappling with some scary health issues, you’ve kept your chin up and still put the needs of others before your own.  I guess that is a natural part of motherhood, and I consciously strive to do the same in my daily endeavors. 

You are the lady of our house.  You do it all, Momma.  Cook, clean, laundry, landscaping, home improvement, teach, and more… Our home, our family, would have crumbled long ago without you. 

You’re the blind believer in all I dare to be.  I know many parents think they know what is best for their children, and while you and Dad have always made helpful suggestions, you’ve always supported my ultimate career goals and interests.  And even while it’s been a difficult journey and an often mental burden in the midst of a struggling economy, you continually tell me that I’m going to be the best damn professor this county’s ever seen.  For that, I am forever grateful. 

There’s no safer place I’ve found than the shoulder of your white night gown.  There is no age to determine when I will stop coming to my parents for a safe haven. Even in my own adult life, there are times when I just want to be held by you and Dad.  Life can really knock ya down sometimes, and there’s no place like home to confide in the comfort and protection of our moms and dads.  Okay, so your shoulder is a little bony, but there’s still no place I’d rather be J

I’ve got the best and the worst of you in me.  I really am a lucky girl.  While I don’t see much of a resemblance, the older I get, the more and more people tell me I look like you.  That’s a huge compliment I’d be happy to take any day.  You are beautiful, Momma; and not just on the outside.  You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, and you’re always putting others before yourself.  That is truly one of your most inspiring qualities.  And even amidst stubbornness, anxiety, and self-criticism, your altruism by far outweighs the latter traits—and I only hope I continue to irradiate half of that quality.    

I’d share you if I could…

So the wars would all be over. 
Cause you’d raise us all as friends. 
And no one would ever wonder
If somebody wanted them. 
We’d walk on grass that’s greener
And our cares would all be freer. 
If the world had a mother like mine. 

Need I say more?  I really do believe, momma, that the world would be a better place if everybody had a mother like you—a woman so giving, so kind-hearted, so selfless, so beautiful and inspiring is a gift not to be taken for granted.

Perhaps my favorite part of the song and the verse that describes you most, I just about cried when I heard it for the first time…

You’re our father’s one great love.  You’re the one he wanted most. I’ve probably asked Daddy to tell the story a hundred times about how he loved you when you were best friends growing up, and how he wanted to marry you but you were too stubborn to see it.  For a man to ask multiple times for your hand in marriage before you’d acquiesce—that’s patience.  That’s love.  And it really is an inspiring story.  I’m not sure if I know anyone else with a love so strong.  You are truly blessed, Momma.  Thank you for finally finding your brain, because had you not married Daddy, I obviously would not be here to be writing this blog about you.  And let's face it, I'm awesome. 

You’re the light in the window of the house I grew up in.  While I still live at home, I remember what it was like driving home on the weekends from college, or coming over for dinner or a random visit when I had been living with Amy for some time. Metaphorically, “going home” meant so much more than seeing mommy and daddy.  It was my safe haven—my place to escape when things got a little too tough, when life had me worried, or whenever I might have felt lonely.  And although you and Dad have discussed moving to a Lake House for the past 10 years now (I’m not sure this is EVER going to happen), home will always be a home to me.  I will always remember walking through the front door and smelling the aroma of fresh-baked apple pie and lasagna—or turkey—on a big holiday.  I’ll forever cherish the times when I come home from work, plop down my bags (I know, I know… take it up to my room) and say, “Momma, are you ready to go workout?!” There’s something about working out with you gives me a motivational boost to stay in shape.  Thank you for reinforcing the importance of health and wellness. My Gosh, with your cooking, it’s a miracle I’m not 500 pounds. 

You take the midnight call; you’re the bravest of us all.  Literally, you do take the midnight call.  I guess I’ll never understand what it’s like to be a parent until I am lying wide awake in bed wondering when my kids will be home.  And while you might not think so, I really do believe you’re extremely brave. I remember when Daddy was in the hospital and had to undergo risky surgery. I never once saw you cry.  I know you must have when you were alone, but you were emotionally and physically strong when everybody else was weak.  You were, and always will be, our emotional rock. 

You sing in the garden that you let your hair down in.  I know that I’ve often grown tired and weary and, at times extremely annoyed, while you sang and whistled and hummed in the kitchen while I was trying to sleep or do my homework, but there’s something so serene about you singing in the garden.  When you work your magic in the garden, you emanate a beautiful aura that nobody can dismiss.  It really is enthralling.

Oh the wars would all be over
'Cause you’d raise us all as friends
And no one would ever wonder just how much you wanted them
We'd walk on grass that's greener
And the dishes would all be cleaner (Yes, they would literally be cleaner)
If the world had a mother like mine

When I reflect upon the lyrics in these versus and the chorus, I am truly inspired as subsided memories emerge to consciousness.  And I’m sorry that it often takes an inspiring moment or a captivating song to remind me just how lucky I am to have a Mother like you.  I can only hope that I’ve made you extremely happy and proud, and while I know children can be a real pain in the royal ass, I vow to make every day an endeavor to show you just how much I love you—if even in the simplest ways. 

I am so proud to call you my Momma—and the very same applies to Grandma, because you obviously got it from her.  And just as anyone might say about their own family, I truly have the BEST parents and grandparents in the world—and not even an account as such transpired through writing can justify how much you truly mean to me. 

Thank you for being my rock, my teacher, my friend, my comfort, my inspiration, and most of all, my MOTHER.  I love you to the moon and back. 

Happy Mother’s Day, to you, and to all mommies deserving of our love.   

                                                                                                                           With all my love,

                                                                                                                       Elizabeth (Your Little Bits)