Parents

I have so many memories of my mother that I didn't really realize were significant until I became a mother. Because I was the youngest I didn't get a lot of one on one time with my mom, but I have a handful of memories that weren't big events or trips, but were simply of the little things my mom did for me every day.

I have always had incredibly dry skin, especially on my hands. I remember my mom trying all sorts of different lotions and vaseline to try to help me feel better. I remember one night in particular when I was seven or eight and we had just gotten off the phone with my Dad who lived in Guam at the time. I remember I was upset because I hated talking on the phone, but I missed my Dad, so it made it really hard for me to connect with him. I was feeling especially vulnerable because I didn't understand why he was so far away. I don't remember anything my mom said, although I'm sure she tried to comfort me, but I remember that she helped me get ready for bed that night. At that age I didn't need it, but that night I did. I needed my mom. I remember her putting baby lotion on my hands and doing it so gently because it hurt so bad. Then she slipped gloves over the lotion and I remember being so grateful for her. Her caring for me comforted me.

I had a really hard time sleeping growing up. I had a lot of nightmares (I still do) and I couldn't stay asleep for the whole night. I remember one dream that had me so upset I couldn't stop screaming. My Dad ran into the room, terrified that something had happened to his little girl (I was probably four at the time). I will never forget the look on his face when he opened the door. I remember how scared he looked and how fast he got there. Then I remember how relieved he was when he saw that I was okay. I remember how much love he had for me when he ran over and wrapped his arms around me. I remember that my mom was the one who stayed to help me go back to sleep, but I remember being so impressed that Dad got there first.

I remember so many nights when my mom would crawl into my bed with me and sing me a song about a bunny. Now that I think about it I'm pretty sure it was one of those weird, sad songs that kids don't get where the bunny dies, but I didn't care. I remember all of the words to the Ant song and I sing it to Jane all of the time. Because I remember my mom singing them to me and I remember how much it meant to me that she would stay up with me in the middle of the night when she should be sleeping.

Thank you, mom and dad!