What I Aspire To

 

When I'm presented with a birthday/mother's day/whatever kind of card for my mom, I'm at a loss.  What to say?  How to express my gratitude?  I can't.

I doubt I'll be able to mother as well as she has/does.  To that she would say, "Of course you can," in her tone that tells me she thinks I'm being ridiculous.

Because that's what it comes down to.  My mom has this confidence in me, however unfounded or misdirected, that is unshakable.  She just knows I can do it.  Whatever it is.

I wonder why.

I wonder if it's because she has such an iron confidence in herself that it just carries over to her offspring.

I wonder if she's going for a fake it till you make it approach.

I wonder.

It's hard not to feel empowered after she's unequivocally expressed her belief in me.  It's hard not to want to prove her right.

Also, just like every good mom, my mom is a fixer.  A soother.  A convincer that everything-is-going-to-be-all-right.

And between her confidence, her help and her unrelenting will, it usually is.

 

I know enough to know when you're in a pickle...call Mom.

Jennifer Garner