I’m tired and she’s tired. And she’s been weeping with frustration, her face a smudge of red cheeks and snotty trails.
I go down on my knees beside her little, chubby legs. They’re curving over the edge of her green froggy potty stool and she is glaring hot blue eyes into my face. I reach for her and she swats at me and doesn’t want the comfort I know she wants.
I gently take her hands and pull her up. Her tender self all frustration and sweat and nakedness melting into me. I cup her with my arms and my words and slowly stroke those damp curls back from her cheeks.
I’ve got deadlines and to-do lists and no clue what to make for dinner. There is one quiet window before the boys come home and Pete has made it back early and we’re hoping for a snatched ten minute nap. But she’s inconsolable for reasons she can’t put into two-year-old words yet and I’m on my knees reaching for her.
I will always come, baby.
She’s in my arms and slowly beginning the ritual of stroking my right arm. Her curls are warm and sweaty and that pudgy baby cheek fits just under my chin.
I will always come.
I dance with her slowly – the rock and roll of motherhood – and I know this is a promise I can stake my life on.
I will always come.
When you forget your lunch. When you are sheep number 5 in the Christmas play. When you take up the recorder and bleat all the way through the Easter service. When you get that bad hair cut. When you think you want to be a beauty queen, when you swear off fashion altogether.
I will come.
When the mean girls make you want to shrivel inside your skin. When a teacher intimidates you. When you intimidate the teachers. When you think you can sing and try out for a musical, when you get laughed at and people point fingers at your hair and your shoes and your too bony hips.
My darling, I will come.
When that boy breaks your heart and you’re stranded at a college miles away, I will come. When the internship you thought was part of your calling falls through. When a friend gets sick. When the car crashes. When you have more long distance charges than you thought possible. When you run out of gas, chocolate chip cookies and faith.
I will be there.
When you say your “I dos,” when you you start your happily ever afters, when none of it quite feels like you thought it would. When you don’t know how to pick a mattress, when the sofa is in the wrong place, when you regret what feels like signing your life away to someone else. When you keep on keeping on. When you remember how to say sorry. When you need a safe place to say how cliche you feel all “barefoot and pregnant” I will so be there.
When the baby won’t sleep and the world’s on fire with sleep exhaustion.
Sweetheart, I will come.
When your husband’s out of work. When you’re down to one car and have moved in with his in-laws. When your job threatens to break your heart. When toddlers make you question your sanity. When you realize that you’ve made the worst mistake a woman can make. When you’ve run out of tears and still the tears keeping coming.
I will come.
When you move and move and relocate again. When you pack boxes and dreams and hope. When your life is a world of duct tape and questions. I will still come.
And when your home is warm and your heart is full. When you’re at peace. When you need someone to share the joy, to watch the kids, to admire the dimples. When you want to remember that old recipe for melktert, when you still can’t pick a sofa, when you wish you’d never said yes to the dog.
When you don’t know where you’re going. When you’re the most sure of yourself you’ve ever been. When you’re holding onto faith with just your fingernails. When you’re singing, “Jesus loves me this I know” and you mean it with every tiny, beautiful, miraculous part of your DNA –
Zoe, always I will come. One hundred different ways I will come when you call.
I will rock and roll you with my love and the promise that I will help you get back on your feet. I will hold your hand. I will rejoice. I will babysit. I will pass the tissues. I will wash the dishes.
I will come.
Tonight.
Tomorrow.
And the day after. And after.
And then some.
Someday I will have the words to tell you what these words meant to me.
Exactly my thought.
I don’t know how to say what is in my heart. These words are beyond beautiful, Lisa-Jo.
Well I’m so glad because the box of chocolate covered fruit that I SINGLE HANDEDLY devoured was the MOST beautiful thing of my weekend :)
Yes, yes, yes and amen. Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for incarnating the call of motherhood on a blog. It takes a lifetime to live it but you’ve captured it in words for us as we go about the living. I’m grateful. And reminded of the song I sing to my littles ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqcem0JN3Yw.
Oh listening now. Love it.
Such a beautiful blog. Words can express how we all feel about our children and you have said it beautifully. Thank you for those words of love.
I love this. SO MUCH. Thank you for putting this into words!
I am a puddle over here! So beautiful again, Lisa Jo. This is just perfect.
Tears. Beautiful. Thank you.
Lovely and beautiful.
And yes, Lisa, you will come. I know from experience. My daughters are 11, 21 and 24. My oldest, Katie, just gave birth to the most beautiful, perfect little girl, Kennedi. And, yes, I am there at midnight during the tears of frustration, during the doubts of ever being able to take a shower or brush her teeth, thru the tears of wondering if she is worthy of being the mother Kennedi deserves, through the smiles and the awe of the love that overflows from Katie’s heart, the love a mother has for her newborn daughter. That love is like no other. I will be there and I will come, as long as my Father allows me to. I am so blessed, as you are. We are so very fortunate and I am so very thankful! Hugs ~
Jean
Oh what a gift to have a mother like that with you as you become a mother yourself – what a gift to your daughter, Jean. What a gift.
curious as to what a “perfect” little girl is? Plus it sounds like you’re trying out-do Lisa Jo a little bit with your writing. It doesnt work though…yours is too selfish.
John, my heart aches for your bitterness. I think that Jean was only trying to share her personal experience of what Lisa-Jo’s words mean in her own life. Every grandmother probably *should* think that her grandchildren are perfect. Jean sought to connect, you seem driven to divide and set apart. Draw close my friend and see that the things that draw us together are far more durable than the things that drive us apart. Be well.
Elizabeth you said it perfect. I don’t need to add another word … except ~ we know what “perfect” little girl means.
Thank you Elizabeth and Tess! I actually sent a personal email to Lisa-Jo apologizing if I came across any way other than positive. I certainly did not mean to. I wrote in haste and did not proof anything. I am a single mother, 51 with 3 daughters and a granddaughter, and I felt like Lisa-Jo hit the nail on the head with this post. She had it spot on and I wanted to express that, although I guess I didn’t do a very good job of it. If I sounded selfish, I didn’t mean to and I certainly was not attempting to “out-do” Lisa-Jo. I am her #1 cheerleader. She is an inspiration and often, my motivation! I am a believer, and I felt badly that anyone saw me in another light, most importantly, Lisa-Jo. I’m glad you understood what I was trying to say. And, yes, I still think my darling little 4-month old granddaughter is “perfect”! Thank you again for your kind words!
Jean you are lovely and there was no apology necessary. Every mama is absolutely, hands down entitled to feel filled to the brim with love and pride and joy and delight in their kids. Go ahead and gush about ’em. I love it. Motherhood is a gift and a calling and about the hardest work out there and any time a mom has a chance to catch her breath and look back and revel a bit in what she’s grown through these tiny humans, I am all for it. Love your heart and so grateful for your story.
warmest of wishes
Lisa-Jo
Jean ignore the negativity you sounded fine in your reply. Most of us understood exactly what you meant.
AMEN!!
I love this poem, I am not a mother, although I am a daughter and hope to be a mummy one day, this is beautiful, I love what Elizabeth says about drawing together, this is so comforting :-)
That’s a horrid thing to say John. I’m 73, have a daughter, a son, 4 grandsons, a great grand daughter and a great grandson. I always came, and still do. All Mums think their offspring are perfect. This blog made me cry and brought back many memories, good and bad.
Well my first question for John would be are you Female? Anybody knows that perfect doesn’t exist, pretty sure she did not mean literally. As far as “out writing” Lisa? WHERE does that come from. I’d say in the future, maybe stay off Blogs designed for Women. Maybe you can find A Dad blog to criticize. Any person I know thinks their Child is perfect, because they are in their eyes & God’s, or whatever higher power you believe in. Actually feeding into your comment is a dumb thing on this end to do. Hey, I’ll add you to the never-ending prayer list for the ignorantly Challenged people. Rachelle
I am a newcomer. Don’t get much time to sit down here, but I really appreciated having this “shared” with me on FB. Poor John. That was a “can of worms”, wasn’t it? Lisa Jo, God has given you a gift of communication. I needed this today. Thank you Lord.
Lisa, this is so lyrically beautiful. I found myself in tears in the face of it’s beauty and sincerity. I think anyone who is a mother will find themselves echoing the “I will come.”
Friend, I am wrecked from this for fifty reasons and fifty more you didn’t even name just because our stories are different. Loved seeing Zoe in all her blonde curled glory today. You’re doing a more important work there lady!
Thanks Amy for loving my little “interrupter” :)
This is so beautiful, such a gift of promise for her to listen and hold onto for years. I so love this writing.
Lisa-jo, so blessed to read this today. The moment I had my daughter I learnt truly about other relationships and more. This blog is so beautifully crafted ( yes! Crafted it is.. ), it touched my heart at so many levels. Thank you and hugs
My mother always comes. During many of the times you mentioned: the mean girls, the heartbreak, the out of gas, out of money, out of hope. She came when I was in a fog of despair after bringing our firstborn home and plunging so deeply into a depression I feared I’d never find a way out. I’m grateful to God that we’re in the peaceful, admiring dimples phase, though I know tough times will come again in one way or another. My prayer is that my daughter and my sons will know their mother will always come. Thank you for putting this devotion into a beautiful post.
Tears every time, Lisa-Jo! I always look forward to what’s next.
I will always come
I am 35 years old, the mother of a one-year-old and pregnant with my second child. The other day, my life was falling apart and I called my mom. And she drove two hours, stopping to pick up the makings of my favorite soup and enough groceries to keep the “hungries” at bay for a couple days until I was over being so exhausted and overly stressed out from my job. :)
Mamas make the world go ’round. :) And now I have to send this to my mama.
Oh heart aching with the beauty of that kind of mothering. Thank you for sharing that glimpse. What a wonder, your mama.
My sweet Ellie is Zoe’s age. Lately she has been calling for me in the middle of the night, when sleep seems so dear and the 5:45 alarm seems so near. But I always go to her. And when I lift her from her crib, she melts into my shoulder and we rock together in the darkness, just me and her. We are making the promise now, you know? And we are getting good practice at keeping it.
Yes, that’s how the promise starts – wordless and so powerful.
Thank you for this! I am so thankful for the beautiful gift of motherhood, I have 3 precious kids, 12 year old son, 5 year old daughter, and 4 year old son. I too will come as long as I possibly can and God allows. My daughter has already started talking about when she grows up and gets married– she will let me watch her kids :) How precious is that?!
Hi Lisa-Jo, just read this beautiful and heartwarming “vow” with my only daughter and we just shed tears together. she will be traveling to NYC (and we hail from the tropics) for work and i will miss her so. thank you for the snippets of realities that spelled “momma moments” that promise eternal loving assurance … you gripped my heart in a good way that overflowed the love i have for my dearest daughter.
you have a beautiful gift that puts words together which touch the heart and bring a loving inspiration to the soul. thank you for sharing it with us — April (Bob’s wife)
Lisa-Jo, this was so poignant and just what I needed to read after an already long week with my girl! Thank you for the reminder to keep on loving, in so many different ways, and that simply “being there” is so often the gift my children most need from me.
Your words never cease to amaze me. You have such a fantastic way of writing so much of what we mothers feel, but sometimes don’t have the words for. Thanks for the honesty and sincerity! Keep on writing – you’re amazing!
Lisa Jo,
Thank you for speaking words of truth into the lives of mothers…. particularly those of us who wonder what the road holds for our little girls. Just when we were getting the hang of little boys, we were blessed with this little dynamo! Thank you for reaffirming that no matter what comes, no matter what shortcomings we may fear, or job is very simply to come… To love…
HD Fuller
Lisa-Jo, What a gift you have! You have put into beautiful words the feelings that most of us mothers have for our children. Thank you for that and God bless you.
So beautiful, Lisa-Jo. And all the way through, I cry, thinking about how much you have missed and continue to miss without your own mom. This one needs to be framed and on your girl’s wall. Thank you for it.
Yes and the amazing thing is how He’s giving it all back to me through Zoe. Amazing grace every day.
Tissues please and more tissues. This is so sweet and beautiful, Lisa-Jo.
You captured a mother’s heart in such an incredible way. Thank you.
WOW what beautiful words ♥ Thank you Lisa-Jo. This is what my Mom Melanie Michaels Bond has always been to me and still is. I hope one day if I have a daughter I will be this to her ♥ Thank you for always putting the unspoken into such powerful words ♥
if only more mothers were like you LJ….
Oh Em, I’m the same as all the others – frustrated and tired and irritable and letting them watch more TV than I should and then getting caught off guard in the small moments at the desperate strength of this wild love that sweeps all the nonsense away. So so grateful for every tomorrow.
My own mum could have written this! She has always been there for me, through thick and thin and through countless house moves across the world. When I was crying my eyes out because my first baby wouldn’t stop screaming and I still needed to pack so many boxes and I felt like I hadn’t slept for a year, she came. She soothed the baby, put me under the shower, packed my boxes for me and sent me to bed. When my dad died suddenly, I was able to return the favour and take care of her for a change, cry with her and miss him with her. I myself am a mum to 2 boys with a 3rd boy on the way and I make the same promise to them. I can’t imagine not being there for them.
So beautiful…yes I promise all this to my precious girl too!
I am 58 years old, and my mom always comes when I need her. She always has, and I know she always will.
As a mother myself, I too have always come for my own two daughters. I spent countless hours by my oldest daughters side as she battled horrific complications caused by her juvenile diabetes for the last ten years of her life. Those hours, days, weeks I spent sitting and watching her sleep, following her as she went from one test to another, praying with her and over her, reading to her, laughed and cried with her were precious gifts from God that I have “treasured in my heart.”
Yesterday would have been her 36th birthday. Jesus took her home, ending her troubles and pain when she was 32.
To all mothers, being there is the best thing. Even when you are tired and frustrated and angry–treasure every moment. Those moments only come once. Don’t miss out. Because even when you’re tired and hurting yourself, someday you will look back and know they were the best and most precious gifts of all time.
I think this one has the potential to crash your site. This is so heartfelt and genuine, Lisa-jo. Just beautiful!
I have 3 daughters. My mama went to heaven 2 years ago. I miss her.
This had me in tears too. Especially as my daughter is grown, and I worry that I never said these sorts of things and its too late and she lives so far away. Would you mind if I re-blogged this on mine, but with different photos????
You have penned the words straight from the heart of so many mothers! We nod our heads, we laugh and we cry as read these precious words. So beautiful! Praise God for all the mothers out there who come, who love just as He loves us. Beautiful!
Just in tears reading this, the last paragraphs blurry. This is my mother. Now and in the past and in the future, I am sure. I pray I can live into the legacy she has created and do this for my daughter. I needed this so much today, thank you.
A dear friend forwarded your site to me. LOVE it. I am a teacher, mom, Christian, singer, struggler. Love posts that are funny, real, and yet encouraging all at the same time.
Blessings. And thank you! Keep on–keepin’ on!
Hello, This is what will change the world! One daughter, one child,one at a time.
Because He will always come!
I want to say this to my daughter almost 30, but I pray I have lived this to and for her…
Blessings, Roxy
I’m crying and I don’t even know why. This is beautiful Lisa-Jo. So beautiful.
I emailed this to my 14 yr old daughter. When she comes home from school and reads it I hope I see her face. This is an incredible picture of a mother’s love. Thank you.
I have three daughters. You’ve captured perfectly my heart towards them! I wish all daughters had a mom like you.
As mother of biological and adopted children I have always vowed to be the best Mom I could be. I know I have failed in that many times along the way, but the one thing I do know is that I will always be there in the good times and the bad times. Once a parent always a parent no matter how old I become. I will always come.
I love my children no matter what and am a happy grandmother of 8.
Love this, LJ. I want so badly to have a different relationship with my daughter than I do with my mother. I can’t put that into words – at least not out loud. But these words you’ve shared, these promises you’ve made – it puts into words the desires of my heart, too. Thank you. xoxo
This sooo needs to be a book: “I will come…” Maybe readers can add their own “when’s” to you for inclusion? You are such a gifted writer, touching the heart and soul of every Mother with the feelings she couldn’t have put into words, but recognizes with every fiber of her being, when she reads what you so prosefully (is that a word) put down. Thank you.
So beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I will always come and be there to cheer you on, support you, guide you, hold you. For all three of my precious babies I make this promise every day. Thank you Lisa for putting into words my heartsong to my sons and daughter.
I really appreciate those words, so true and beautiful. Brings tears to my eyes because I’ve experienced my own parent not being there for me during the hard times, and even creating more agony in my heart than I thought I could tak, as well as my husband experienced that too. I loved hearing what a real parent with real love does, and I only hope and pray that I can be that for my son. This really inspires me:)
You only have her hurting, not hateful. That’s part of this, too.
Hateful… is hard. But the root of hateful is hurt. Continuing to show up, even when she’s hateful, might just maybe soften her heart over time.
This is beautiful, Lisa-Jo. I could relate immediately — my daughter is two-going-on -hree, and it sounds like we have the same green froggy potty.
If there is one thing I want her to know, from her mama’s heart to hers, no matter how blindly frustrated she might be, I will always show up for her. I will never run, and I will never to turn her away. In the big moments, and the little ones, I will be there. And yes, it is one promise I would stake my life on.
This just makes me melt. I will always come for my girls! My oldest is grown and married with a girl of her own, and she lives 7 hours away so I can’t always come physically, but I’m there on the phone whenever she needs me. My two younger ones are still growing (ages 9 and 12) and yes, Mama will always be there.
Now I’m going to send this to my big girl! :-)
Lisa-Jo, this post makes my heart swell! Tomorrow is the twins’ first day of K3 and I’m already a little emotional! Loved how you expressed a mothers love for her daughter :)
PERFECTLY written. Made me cry. Just beautiful!
My middle 31 year old daughter sent this link to me and her other two sisters with the comment…glad I have a mama that always comes! I was confused till I read the link. How blessed am I to have three daughters, three son-in-laws, three granddaughters and two grands on the way. As long as the Lord continues to bless me with good health…I will come!
Lisa Jo,
This was just what I needed after spending my evening and morning consoling and cajoling my crying daughter who didn’t want to go to first grade because, “I will miss you, Mommy.” This is exactly what I want her to know. Thanks for sharing. Now I’m the one who needs tissues. ;)
Crying.
Brought tears to my eyes. You put into words what I feel about my daughter!
Bawling. Feel the same way about my boys.
Lisa Jo you have a gift for expressing things in such a way that any mom (or anyone for that matter) just jumps up and says “YES, that’s exactly how I feel!” Thank you for sharing your gift with the rest of us!
As I sat in the car almost in tears from the current meltdown my two year old Zoe was having from being overly tired and hot…I came across this. And then she wasn’t the only one in tears. We forget just how much they really do need us and just what a privilege it is to “be there” for them. ♡♡♡
I’m going through the worst depression I’ve ever felt, and I would give anything to have my mom come to me and comfort me. Your daughter is incredibly blessed.
This is WONDERFUL. One year recently I made my mom a plaque that says ‘Becoming a mom means I finally understand just how much you love me.’ I definitely feel this!
There is nothing more rewarding than being a mother!
And my daughter is a wonderful mother to
a beautiful 3 month old. And I will still
Come to her whenever she calls!
And I hope she knows that
You said what I haven’t been able to put to words! I tell my 7 week old these exact words & other words (“I will come”) all the time when she is screaming but this says it so much better! Thank you!
This is my mother and how lucky I am to have her.
This is so perfect and in my 38 years I have experienced so many of these things and always my mother was right there by my side and I know I will be there for my 3 girls but I am overwhelmed with sadness for those I know that have never had this kind of mother or lost their mother too soon. Makes me want to be a better friend, aunt niece or whatever I can to those precious women who are missing so much.
I think this can apply to single daddies too…
Amen.
Reminded me so much of my Mother. I am 63. She has been gone for 23 years and here I sit, tears in my eyes, missing her and praying that she knew how I appreciated her and yes…she alway came.
And now I’m weeping…
You articulate what is in my mothering heart so very beautifully. My sassy 4 yr old cried herself to sleep last night because she misses her daddy (who, for a number of reasons, isn’t around right now). It was heartbreaking to see her so vulnerable and hurting. This post was as close to what I wanted to say as anything I could’ve said myself.
I am reading this and crying, this is my mom, and who I hope to be for my little ones. What a hard day today was, my kids really, really challenged me, this made me remember what really matters.
There are no words for this wonderful, inspirational message….I’m just sitting here basking in the afterglow of it…have two great grandchildren (2 and 3 in October). I tend them a few days a week and sometimes I just sit and watch them in their little world, and feel the same way as you have described, for all of my children….I know you’re a truly wonderful mother and pray God would continue to bless your family……
This is absolutely the sweetest thing I have read in a really long time. I cannot wait to forward it on to my almost twenty-three old baby girl. Thank you.
This struck me as a mother of a daughter, of course, but even more as the daughter of a mother who has always been there and is there still. With wet cheeks I thank you for such a poignant blog. Exquisite.
Thank you. this says all that is in each moms’ heart.
Thank you for your post… my daughter sent this to me today on the day I became a Grandmother again. I’m crying like a baby because I feel the same today as the day she was born and yes I will be there for him too.
My mother was this mother, and she passed one year ago. My world was lost without her. I have a 12 year old, a two year old, and a new baby whom she never had the chance to know. This reminded me that she still does come and is with me in spirit when my world is wrought with exhaustion and worry. Thank you for the beautiful words!
Wow. This is sick. Lol. Maybe this should have been written to your husband instead.
I will come too…but it has jack shit to do with my daughter. Lol, what do you want moms? A cookie? Get OVER yourselves.
I’m not a mother, but I am that daughter stranded at a college miles away. This made me think of my own mother, and how much I miss her. Truly, your words are beautiful and they made my heart melt.
My three girls are all grown up now, but I’ve lived all of these emotions and sometimes all of them in one day, once upon a time. Your mention of a melktert recipe had me sit upright…. melktert?? Yes, I am also South African, very Afrikaans, despite having lived in the USA for the past 15 years now. I happen to have a delicious melktert recipe, if you ever need a spare one :)
Thanks for a great read.
I just read your post as a result of my 35 year old daughter posting it. As I read it, I thought of my mom, who is 90, who always came. I thought of myself, now almost 62, and how I have done my best to always be there for my 3 children and now my 2 grandchildren! It is a circle of life that I have been blessed to be a part of. To be a mom is ultimately the best! Your post brought me many happy tears!
…these are words that truly express the essence of unconditional love. We don’t see this enough in this world…grateful for these words that let it shine so brightly.
Grateful for dads who are so deliberately loving their daughters.
a long time ago , my now ex husband said to me in the most nasty tone, ” you are going to make those children think they can depend on you for everything.” i was taken aback for sure, but it was so easy to say , “why , yes, yes i am .”and go on with my life.
I wish I’d had a mother like that. But now I can be that mother.
I am not a mother yet, but I am a daughter. I have heard this sentiment echoed over and over a thousand times from my own mom. Heart to heart she says it time and time again. Something I hope to give my own little ones someday. Thank you for this.
Sooo beautifully said, Lisa. This is what all good mothers do. I am a mother & grandmother. I have been doing this for 48 years & will continue to do so when needed as long as the Lord lets me be physically able to do so. I am so blessed to have been their mother & grandmother. I cannot imagine my life without them in it. From my earliest memory, as a child, the one thing I always wanted to be was a mommy. Thank you sooo much for this wonderful message.
Thank you. I was already crying tears of love and understanding when I got to “Zoe, I will always come.” I also have a two year old Zoe and I feel everything that you wrote, so thank you.
It is 1:34 in the morning and I am nursing my 3 month old. I just read this blog for the 2nd time. Not as man tears this time. This was my mom, my mom who is gone now. And you put into words what kind of mom she was and I want to be just like her. Thank you for your words as I start this journey with my own daughter. I miss my mom…
Pamela
You are amazing! Someday your child will remember all of this. You came over and over again. I hope my two sons can remember in their older years that I, too, came. Unfortunately, I cannot say this about my Mother. She is 86 and is not so pleasant. She is selfish, mean and downright miserable person. As I was growing up I was responsible for myself and our house(not home). She worked belonged to her organizations and drug me along. I had no childhood. People who know me and have known of my life say “I am who I am despite my parents, not because of them. I have been married 46+ years to a wonderful man who is my soul and best friend. He grieves because of my Mom. I try to be respective and polite to her. I try to be a good daughter (a only child) but at times it is really hard.She expects me to come and cater to her as if she deserves it. She thinks she has done wonderful things to all she has known. At this stage in her life she in an assisted living facility. She can’t understand why she is alone and no one comes to visit or calls.She has this misconception of all her “good works” and I can’t help her to see any differently. Even her sisters, grandchildren and great grandchildren don’t want have anything to do with her. I really feel for her. Sorry I have vented so long but your story was so moving. I am sorry if I ruined anyone’s happiness but I felt I needed to tell my story because I cannot say “she came” to any event in my life. More could be said but nothing in my life will ever change in reguards to my Mom and she fails to see the unhappiness she has caused. So to all my fellow
” MOMS” we have it better. Please pray for my Mom, that she will find peace before it is too late.
I feel you. I also did not have that mom. My mom did not have that mom either. It is sadly a cycle. My mom may physically come to a lot of these things that happen, but she doesn’t come emotionally. She criticizes or somehow finds a way to blame me. I so wish she was this mom, and I grieve not having this mom. I can see my mom through the eyes of grace and realize she did the best she could because of how she was raised. I just hope and pray I do better for my own 3 girls. I want to be “emotionally” there for them. I want them to know I am here for them. I am just glad someone else out there was brave enough to say they didn’t have that mom, because I was thinking it the whole time I read it and replaying all the times I wished she had been there. Thanks for sharing such an awesome poem and reminding me to stay the path with my own girls that the cycle of my family changes for the better.
While I didn’t have a mother who was there either–and I was told over and over that I was having too many children (We have four sons and a daughter.) I determined to be there for mine–and with me the cycle was broken–forever I think!
I have lived through weddings, the moving in with the in-laws, the trying to finish the degree, the moving back into the 5th wheel (with three children), the birth of the baby that was a “surprise”, the birth of the baby after infertility treatments, the DEPLOYMENTS, the fears when bombs were hitting the base and all communication was cut off, I even quit my job and did full time day care for one grandbaby when her mother just couldn’t bear to use daycare. (It was a wonderful year!)
The cycle doesn’t have to continue! You can be the change that you want to see in the world.
(Not that I deserve any pat on the back–my mom just missed out on so much–and she didn’t know what she was missing–the pleasure has been all mine–to be there–and to heed the call.)
That was beautiful, and made me feel both inspired for more mothering of my own and miss my mamma for the moments i know she was at spiritually but wish she could have been at physically. I remember one day when I tried to take public transportation and failed, my mom drove down to find me and got me where I need to be.
With tears in my eye! Absolutely the most beautiful thing ive read!! Thanks for sharing!
I cried reading this…7 years ago, this was the day my little girl died…
Tears ran down my face as I read this today. Maybe it’s because I am mom and cherish every moment of the gift of motherhood. And maybe it’s because I have been preparing to speak about our abused and neglected children, and how “humanity’ has turned it’s backs on these precious little souls. “A Promise To My Daughter” is a call to reclaim our humanity and say no more neglect, because “yes I will come, I will always come.”
Thank you Lisa for reminding us.
So beautiful. As I sit here with my own chubby-cheeked 2yo laying in my lap, I’m reminded that no matter what she does, who she becomes, how she’s behaving, she’ll ALWAYS be this same little girl laying with her head in my lap. The vision I’ll return to is of her wild hair, blankets in arms and thumb in her mouth.
This is absolutely beautiful.
Beautiful. Crying as I read because sometimes it’s not a sweaty toddler on a potty chair, but a frustrated 19-year-old who craves independence and security and doesn’t know how to have both. Your sweet words to your daughter remind me to say to mine: “Even when you push me away, even when you don’t call for me, even when you don’t think you want me there….if you need me I will come.”
~~Simply Beautiful~~
This made me tear up! Beautiful
I couldn’t help but notice the corellation betweeen your beautiful words as a mother and how our Heavenly Father loves and comes for us, his children. ALWAYS AND EVERYTIME. Perhaps a mother’s faithfulness and love for her children is as close a reflection of His love for us on this side of heaven! Hoping I get it right!
As a father, i , too, will come. “She lifts her little hands / Her wish is my command / I’ll pick her up forever if I can.” – Andrew Peterson (My Baby Loves To Dance)
Yes and yes and so much yes! My husband is right there with you.
I wish you were my Mom.
I wish you were my son’s Mom.
I wish you were EVERYONE’S Mom.
Everyone deserves a Mom like you……
Oh goodness, Michelle. That’s so kind to say. But I get frustrated and I forget to buy milk and my kids tell me they’re going to run away from home just like everyone else’s :)
beautiful word…had me in tears. Sharing with my two amazing daughters, one of who just had her first daughter.
No words . . . so utterly beautiful!!
It reminds me of God’s love for us. So often we think in terms of a Father when we think of God, yet there are places where God is compared to a mother also. Beautiful, beautiful description of God’s love and of a mother’s love. Brought tears to my eyes.
I’ll be here, always–and there when you need me.
Pass the tissues!
Thank you,…..for putting it all into words.
Wow! What a true testimony of Motherhood.
My mom died 10 yrs ago and I miss her more than ever now that I have kids. You just put words and scenarios to so many of the aches and pains that I have bore, b/c now I realize what I have missed out on. Not to make you feel bad….In the end it’s a good thing b/c it has helped me process my grief better. It’s hard to know how to process your grief when you don’t really know what it is you are missing out on. You just know that something very important in your life is absent. – Thanks for sharing
Hey Jill,
My mom died when I was 18 and I feel that same loss. Somehow parenting my own daughter and being able to be there for her has helped heal some of those aches. Thinking of you and all the motherless daughters today.
I was there through all the fits and the smiles,Through the babies,the car crashes,the ups and downs,I was there for her first breath and her last,Cherish every single second on earth with her because there are never enough,Thank you for bring back memories of better days :)
I too, like Mary am not cradling a toddler but my 19 year old daughter. She did move out on her own with a roommate in April of this year. She is struggling with the fact that her boyfriend moved to a college 2 hours away and while she has pretty good self esteem she is feeling lost and lonely without him as he adjusts to college life away from home/her. He is also a typical teenage boy who doesn’t think or remember to call/text while he is adjusting… which is hard for her cause she looks forward to his call all day while she is at school or her job. I have been going over to her apt almost daily while she just wants to be held and have her hair stroked. I love what you wrote and you nailed it perfectly. My mother and I clashed for most of my teenage years and when I married my first husband but when we decided to divorce, she was right there with comfort and hugs not “I told you so”. Just support and she has been there ever since for me. Your daughter is lucky to have you as a mom.
As I read this my own mom is driving over with milkshakes from Chick-fil-a to help me write up my outline for court. In one months time I will be standing before a judge fighting my ex husband to keep our daughter safe from his abuse.
Going back three years, my daughter was 2.5 weeks old. My mom came to take me to my pp appointment… She picks me up and turns to me and says “Baby, it’s time to go. You have tried to fix your marriage and you’ve given it your all. Now it’s time to go.” After my appointment she took me home and my whole family came to help me pack my things and we ran while he was at work. I left my abusive husband because my mom gave me that last bit of strength and confirmation I needed to know I’d be ok as a single mom. She has always come.
What a lovely post! Great job expressing how all of us feel looking at those chubby little faces :).
A friend of mine shared this on facebook today; the day that my oldest daughter started kindergarten. I read it this morning, and tears came to my eyes. Tears that my oldest is now in school, tears that I pray she knows I will always come for her wherever she may be. And tears because my own mother and grandmother drove four hours just to stay with my other two daughters as I took my oldest to school this morning. Tears because my own mother (and grandmother) have always been there. To helping my husband and I move to three different states, 7 different houses, the births of all of my daughters, and recently she helped my oldest daughter calm her fears by teaching her to sing “Jesus Loves Me”. I think you wrote this for me…. and all the other mothers out there! Thank you! (Sharing this on my blog as well!)
Thank you for these beautiful words, they inspired a couple of similar promises from me to my children that I wrote out here: http://akukla.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/healthy-and-helpful-living-one-promise-to-enable-another/
As I read this, I am sitting outside of my daughter’s college dorm waiting to move her in for her second year. I came last year when the boy broke her heart and countless other times over the last 19 years – and will continue to come. Thank you for putting it all into words. Tears are rolling down my cheeks – thank you a million times over.
And when the roles are reversed, when she can’t remember where the dining room is at the assisted living center, when she is frustrated because she can’t remember why she just called, when she cries for no reason she can put into words, I will be there.
I read this too, with tears streaming down my face and with a heavy heart. I believe I have been the mother you describe, most days good, some not so much, but always there when they called. When they forgot their snack at school, or their backpack, or ballglove, driver’s license. Even when the spent the night away from home and at two in the morning I got the call that said “I can’t sleep mama-I want to come home’ I was in the car in a bathrobe and the peddle to the metal, so to speak-only to have them sleeping before we got home! I went to and helped all 4 with college move ins and moves. For new homes and jobs. For my first step granddaughter, when she fell apart, saying I can’t stand this baby I drove from No. Al, to Atlanta Ga. in record time and stayed 10 days, missing my youngest son’s awards program. He was one of the top 10 in his class-but sometimes you have to prioritize. I went several times to D.C. when my Daughter was in Graduate school with a PIC line in my arm for my basic sustenance as I have Lupus and was in a severe flair. Try carrying your pump, meds, needles, and all of the paraphernalia through an airport! They treat you like a criminal and touch all of your sterile equipment that pumps meds directly into your heart-and when you comment the answer is I’m wearing gloves and I say ‘when did you put them on’ and the answer was “when I got here this am! Scary! I’ve gone willingly every time they’ve called-partly because they needed me-but mostly because I wanted to be there with which ever child called. Now for the hard part. I have progressive Lupas, RA, Adison’s Dx. Artificial hips and have difficulty driving and am not sure I could fly at all. I have one daughter in N’ville who is single, but 29 and looking for the right man. I have a 36 year old son who lives in Wisconsin and just married in April-flight and a son who lives locally. I am a single mother now-my husband let for a woman who was almost 30 years younger than he is, after our 30 year marriage, because ‘he was tired of taking care of me. Who does that? But the point is I’m not ready to quit going when they call and have become disabled enough to be unable to do so. As sweet as your post was-and as many happy memories as it brought back, it also, once again made me think of my stage of life and state of health-or unhealth, not that the issue isn’t constantly on my mind. Just saying thank you for the beautiful post-for the sweet memories it provoked, and for letting me vent my sadness and sorrow as I face what ever is the rest of my life. (Please don’t use my name)
How absolutely beautiful. My baby girl left for college last week. 9 hours away. I have already fielded the how do I work the coin operated washer and dryer query and the panicked phone call when she realized she had done the wrong assignment (that took her 6 hours) for a class that she had in 3 hours. If she needs me I will be there, via phone, via skype, via plane, or via 9 hour drive. And she knows it, just as I always knew my mother would be there for me. That warmth, that safety net, isn’t something that is often able to be put into words, but you did it. Bravo.
Thank you for sharing such beautiful words. I always longed for a mother that would do these things in my time of need. I don’t know what it feels like to have someone be there and “come” when I am in need. I have two little boys now, and feel the exact same way about them as you do your daughter. I am there for any and everything they need, and look forward to being there for my daughters-in-law some day. God is good, all the time!
Thank you for putting into words what I want to say to my great-granddaughter…I will print this for her so she can read and understand it as she gets older.
As a Mother of 3 adult daughters I see myself and them in this beautiful tribute to Mom”s. As I reach into my 80’s I have no doubts they will come and be there when I need them too!
Beautiful …simply beautiful
So touching and precious. This also reminds me of a book I read to my little girl…perhaps you have heard of it too?
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always…”
So sweet. Thank you!
Thank you for putting into words the feeling I try my best, every single day, to show my daughter. I want to make sure she goes through life knowing that she means the world to me and I will always be there. This post made me cry, and also made me so grateful for my own mom, who held my hand and rubbed my back during my entire 29 hours of labor and who plans on being there again in a couple of months to help me through it all over again when I have my son. I’m going to send this to her so she can cry as well :)
Thank you for articulating these feelings!
My 42-year old daughter, our oldest of three children, has a massive hemorrhagic stroke last October 20. I never imagined that this would happen to any of my children. She went from being in perfect health, a wife and a mother of a daughter, 15 and a son, 12, to fighting for her life all because of birth control pills. She spent 150 days in the hospital and at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. The last words my daughter said to me the day before this happened was “I love you, mama”. She has a very long road to recovery ahead of her. She has begun eating soft foods and continues therapy at home. Her speech has come back and I rejoice each time I hear her say those 4 words, I love you, mama. Still in a wheelchair and only able to use her left arm and hand, she is still my baby girl and I am always there for her. A few days ago, she told her 15-year old daughter, “It’s time for everyone to understand I am the mama again”. What wonderful words. Karen, I am there for you. I will always be there for you. Till my last breath, I will be there for any of my children. That is what a mama does.
Thank you so much for writing these beautiful words. I am printing this out and will read it to Karen tomorrow. I know she will understand. She is also a mama! (Crying happy tears that God blessed me with three wonderful children and six incredible grand children and that my first baby is still with us!)
So sad. Praying for your daughters full recovery.
Thank you so much, Kelly!! Prayer is what keeps us going!! God is good!
just too beautiful for words!
I don’t normally comment on blog posts, but wow. Brought me to tears!
with the right illustrations this would be a prize winning children’s book (like “I’ll love you forever) you should publish and when you do let me know i’ll buy your first 5copies
Thank you for this post! I am a new mom to a beautiful 4 week old baby girl. At 29, I found myself in tears wanting, needing to talk with my mom about the challenges, worries and joys of being a new mom. I often find myself thinking that I am so undeserving of this precious girl. After reading your post I realized something though: I always come. Even though I am inexperienced and a little lost, I come. We may cry together in the middle of the night, but I always come. Thank you for this post, for the reassurance that I am doing something right.
Yes, publish this. It’s amazing. Every mother will and can relate to this entirely. Thank you.
Oh my… hit home with me today… as a mother of a 2.5 yo, 9 mos, and 4 mos pregnant with baby 3… my toddler is all boy and every cliche of terrible two. The reality of timing knowing that I will be ‘stuck’ in this terrible 2/3 phase for the next 4 years was more reality than I could bare today.
Then I read this post and I remembered that my precious children are always more blessing than I dreamed possible. i love them so, and like you. I will come.
My 12 year old has a chronic lifelong in curable disease which causes him pain and many surgeries and puts him in situations which cause him lots of stress. He has been dealing with this for 4 years now and will deal with it all his life. Through the good am the bad,the one thing that is constant, is my promise to him, “No matter what you are going through I will be there. No matter where you are I will come.” My other children have also heard this promise spoken by me to them numerous times. You did a fantastic job documenting a mother’s promise in this post.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!
I wish I had written this because those are all of my thoughts. Tearing up as I read the words that were inside of my heart for my little girl. Amazing! Beautiful! Perfectly said!
Lovely, beautiful and everything I could ever imagine writing.
No words……and when you no longer need me, i will still come……
I came across this on my daughter-in-law’s facebook page, as I read it, I began to think of the many times “I came” for my daughter Angela from the day she was born until the day she was killed in a drunk driving crash.
I shared 24 years of “I came” with her whenever she needed me for whatever reason. She always knew that I would be there no matter whether it be day or night.
Thank you for this Promise for my Daughter……it fit everything I did for mine perfectly.
That one is my mom, thank you you described her for me. Today I was the mom I don’ t want to be, that feeling sucks.
I cannot even express what these words mean to me. Although I am not a mother, I have been fortunate enough to have a mother that has been there through so many ups and downs. I have moved more times than I can count and every single one, my mother has been there to help. When ended relationships have caused me to crumble and be unable to pick myself up off the floor, my mother left work the second I called and drove over 3 hours to pick me up, hold me, and tell me it would all be okay. I lost my job, my home, my relationship all at once and when I thought I couldn’t go on, my mom was there. It’s amazing that you truly don’t realize what a blessing you have until you are placed in a situation where it’s ALL you have. I hope that one day I can be the mother to my children that she has been to me. Thank you so much for these words!
That’s beautiful. That’s what my daughter-in-law has with her mother, and what she will give her daughters. But I didn’t grow up with a mother like that at all. And I only have a son, and sons who are happily married don’t need that kind of relationship with their mothers. Do you have any beautiful words for those of us who did not have and will not have that “always be there” relationship? I know what you are saying, but your words can cause some of us pain, too.
I have four sons–they are all married to incredible women–they STILL need me—and I still come. I spent the entire month of June with my youngest son and his wife while they struggled with early labor while waiting for Lila to be born. I have told them “always” that I will always come–and when they need me–I do.
It’s perfect and expresses the way I feel about my daughter and, in some ways, also my son. I am a mom who will always be there and will love them “to the moon and back.” Thanks for these words.
Beautiful! The tears are coming!
You made me cry big, fat Mommy tears. I love this so very, very much. Thank you!
I just sent my baby away to college, our words brought me to tears. Thank you for so eloquently saying what all Mother’s of little girls feel.
I don’t even have the words. I have a beautiful, adventurous, free spirited, stubborn two year old daughter and you have just put into words everything that I ever want her to know for certain… No matter what, her momma will always be the one person she can count on.
Love this so much. Simple, real, and beautiful.
My daughter, Amy, knows this is just how I feel about her. She is our “baby girl” and she always will be. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for her. She is the sunshine in my day, the smile on my face when I think of her being a mother herself, realizing just how I feel. She lives 8 hours from me, but I would walk just to help her in any situation. She knows that I will be there for her…always.
Oh my goodness. I’m fighting back tears. This is so touching on so many different levels. I found myself thinking of me and my daughters one line, and the next I’d be thinking about my momma and me. So very beautifully written!!
No words to describe how much your words have touched me. I’m blessed to have the mother you describe and hopefully to become the mother she is to my very own beautiful 1 year old.
So beautifully written.
I lost my Mother suddenly at age 14. Oh how many times since have I wished and yearned for her to come and rescue me, from my first broken heart to raising my two precious children. You are so blessed to have yours and I will always come to my children as long as the good Lord allows it.
I lost my mama too at 18. I know your loss. The many times I needed her, I know she would have come if she could have. So I’m there for my girls and boy…and now nana-babies.
This is just beautiful…
You have written how most mother’s. feel. Your words touched my daughter heart. Just when I was needing her eyes opened to understand the love I so deeply feel for her she comes across your beautiful written words. thank you
I have a little boy, but I was reading this and thinking of my mother. And then I got to the part where it said Zoe and it just brought tears to my eyes. Although I know this was written for your beautiful baby girl…by using our shared name I felt like it spoke just to me. Thank you for such beautiful words.
This is just what I needed. I’m the daughter here and going through some rough spots. As ashamed as I feel for some of my struggles right now, they still come- my mom and my pa. They still come running to comfort me and love me and bandage my boo-boos. This made me feel less of a burden to them. Thank you.
Yes, yes, yes, well written! God Bless you! I am sharing this with my daughters! Thank you for these beautiful words of truth!
Just love this article. Thank you.
Such a beautiful expression of parenting. This warms my heart and soul. Once a parent, always a parent (and grandparent).
Lisa-Jo
This is so beautiful and sadly it has come full circle for me.
I’m the 57 yr old daughter who “has come” to help my dying mother reclaim as many of those same memories as she can “before she goes”. As time passes we are the daughters who become the mothers for our mothers as they become children again. . I’m very Blessed to have this privilege “to come” care for her. Thank you for your beautiful words.
This is beyond beautiful. I’ve been to almost every place you described, and a couple you didn’t. A mothers love knows no boundaries.
Thank you for your thoughts … motherhood is the closest I know to divinity . It will bring us closest in serving our offspring As our Creator made and loves us unconditionally through every moment we live , so too do we mothers want to be there for our children. With my own 96 year old mother, and my “thirty something” children , I can not physically be there ALWAYS … I can
provide spiritual support and greatest LOVE for every challenge . Mine will be the voice they hear as they seek their answers…GOD WILLING> I appreciate your sentiments Lisa-Jo.
I’m 34, married for 13 years, and my mama has always come….beautiful post, thank you!
A friend posted this to FB today and I read it…and cried. And cried even more at the end. My Zoe is 3 and I am pregnant with number 2. It tool 12 long years of infertility before we were able to bring Zoe home, and there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for her. Thank you for this.
You took the words from my heart. I raised three beautiful daughters and three handsome sons. I have always wanted to be there for my children. Then I became a grandmother. That was heaven. Now I am a great grandmother. The love I have always had just goes on and on. The greatest promise a “mother” can ever make is to “be there” for her children, just as Jesus is there for them. Thank you for reminding me of my greatest calling – being there for my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank you Jesus for the pleasure of being a “mom”.
I feel this ~ cannot express it! Reminded me of something Mark Lowry once said about beautiful lyrics ~ “I would have written that, if I’d thought of it”… I can think it, can’t express it. Thank you for saying what I have never been able to say!
How beautiful. As all have said, you captured motherhood beautifully… in tears. Thank you
Thank you. This was shared on facebook by a friend. These are words I needed to hear today. My mom was never there for me. My dad raised me and my brother. He is awesome! A true gift! But, now as a mom to a beautiful 8 year old daughter, I struggle with motherhood. She has recently been diagnosed with severe ADHD and we have been through some really tough days as we try to find the right meds for her. So many terrible side effects that changed her sweet spirit the past few months to anger and aggression. But, now, having stopped those meds, and changed to a more gentle non-stimulant, her smile, giggle and longing for cuddles to fall asleep in my arms the past 2 nights, have made me a stronger woman and mother. I know that I will be able to tell her, “I will always come.” Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this, so very beautiful!
76 yrs old, mother of 4 daughters, 6 g-daughters, 2 g-g-daughters; your blog was so touching and true I could not hold back the tears! been there and done that many times and will always be here for them each and every one!!!
I found this link thru a friends link. I just wanted to tell you that, as a mother, grandmother & great-grandmother, this has to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. You definitely have a gift… thank you so much for sharing it.
I typically don’t leave comments on threads, but I couldn’t help it after reading this one. A friend of mine posted this on Facebook today and I decided to read it. It completely moved me. You took every word out of my heart and wrote it out. This is EXACTLY how I feel every second of everyday with my babies. Thank you.
I lost my mother 10 months ago, she did all of this and more! I hope and pray that I can do as much for my daughters as she did for me..and is still doing.. Thank you for sharing, it was beautiful!
I have three daughters and I am there. It is my pleasure.
This is beautiful. I always say to both my children ” I will always come until Jesus tells me I can’t or calls me home”. I know my son will one day not need me as often. But my daughter I pray will. As I believe a daughter doesn’t ever outgrow the need for her mom. It just changes as she grows!! I will always come for both of my children!!
This made me a little sad too b/c I so pray and wish with all my heart that my own mom was coming, always, anytime. But she has chosen to no longer do so :(. A daughter always needs her mom. Especially when she calls for her!!
So, my promise to my children extra from my heart! Because I know what it feels like to need your mom but her not come. Or offer to come. Etc.
BEAUTIFUL. And inspiring. And exactly what I needed to read. :)
Loving reading your posts … have you ever considered recording some of these stories for your children into books?? Easy process … check out my website if you’re interested.
Beautiful! I wish I had a Mom like that. At 45 I am a Mom for the first time. My daughter is 2 and your story touched me. I will print this out and put it in her baby book so she will know I feel that way too. My daughter has the same swim suit as your sweet daughter. Thanks again!
My mother made promises like this to me and failed me at every major turn in my life. She wasn’t there for the little things, and through she swore to me she would be there for the big things, she always bowed out, one excuse after another, acting like there was something wrong with me when I was disappointed for the millionth time. Now she wants to share in my life and I stay at arms length. She didn’t earn my time, because she wasn’t there during the times I needed her. But when I read this, I heard my own voice in it, speaking to my own two girls (ages 5 and 3)… girls who will never know what it’s like to have their mother bail out on helping them when they come home with their first born, never know what it’s like to have a mother who lives only an hour away but never visits, won’t have to suffer through any of the major life struggles alone… because I will always come. I thank my mother for teaching me exactly how not to parent my kids… because of her I have a fueled desire to make myself as available to my kids as possible, for as long as they’ll allow me to. And when those moments happen, they will see that not only will I say I’m coming, but I will indeed always come to them. Thank you so much for sharing <3
My Girls are scattered around, only 1 here. But Shonna and Rae and Jessica and Julie… you Beautiful ladies know who you are. This is bitter-sweet. If I could hold them all right now, I might burst!!
I have two daughters and this is perfectly, perfect. Reminds me of this song I sing to them! Thank you for sharing this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTzBWdLJG98
How my heart aches for what I don’t have and, at the same time, rejoices for what I do have! I promise my daughters, that yes, I will always come. This post had me crying like a baby. I long for a mother who will always come and can be counted on. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with a mother like that. My mother is very selfish and only thinks of herself. I have decided that she just can’t help herself. That helps me not hold it against her as much. I cried for the feeling of loss I have concerning the kind of relationship I have with my mother, but also for the beautiful, loving relationship I am trying to cultivate with my 13 and 2 year old daughters. They are my world. Sometimes, in the thick of everyday life, it helps to have a reminder of what is truly important. Thank you.
I hope you know how flattering it is that I will copy paste and use this one day when my daughter understands the true meaning of this. Thank you
I’m too young have kids myself but I have a perfect mom who I know will always come, even if I don’t ask. Thank you for those perfect words.
Beautiful. I just cried all the way through this because it is exactly what I would say to my 3 year old son.
My mom has always made her way to me and in this stage of life it’s I who come to her. I just pray it is with as much love and grace as she did with me. Thank you for sharing
This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read. I’m 20 years old and my mom passed last year. She always came, always, until she couldn’t. I can’t wait until the day I have my own children to share these thoughts with.
I have daughters and granddaughters, plus an added bonus, a son. I am so awed by how well you put those feelings into words. I have always worked hard at being there, no matter the time place or circumstances, for each of them. From car trouble to money trouble, conflicting schedules to school pick-ups, I am there, even now, for my grown three and the three grands.
My parents were, too. I always knew they were there when things got grim and dark. Both have been gone a long time now, and I still miss them daily. I know I am carrying on the tradition of being there, even if it’s just for a midnight call or cup of coffee.
Reading your blog, I could flip through the picture album in my head as the years rolled by and no matter the event, game, ceremony or just lunch somewhere to “chat”, I have been there. I have driven from here to the middle daughter’s college dorm (180 miles)after what I call one of my “Hey, Daddy.” phone calls to see that her car was repaired and to my son’s apartment when he couldn’t get his to start.
I don’t see anything remarkable about it, though. When you bring them into the world, they’re yours from now on, no matter their age, whether it’s 2 months or 52 years, they will always be your babies.
Thanks for sharing your talent and your Zoe, which is my youngest grand’s name, too!
Great comment Jim! You are a great Dad. ;)
Thank you so much. Very well written and so moving.
Bless you.
I cried the whole time I read this :) my daughter is tuning 21 in a month and every year on her birthday I write her a thank you note. They are thank you notes for making me a richer person for being her mother! They are locked away in a lock box and they will be her gift the day she becomes a mother herself ( she has NO idea I have been writing them)
That’s a beautiful idea x
My goal is to be this kind of mother to all of my children (4 boys, 1 girl) , as I do not have a mother or anyone like this in my life…
I could not love you more then at this very moment. I am always so proud of you Dearest Ashleey.
And when , in your last year of grad school, your legs give out and you come home in a wheelchair, I will come. When you call me to help you into the shower, I will come, When you call me to help you put on your shoes (the ones you almost wore out when you could walk…), I will come. When you call me to help you get onto the toilet, I will come. And when you call me because you have fallen onto the floor, I will come…
Beautiful! I have tears in my eyes. Thank you for writing this.
Thank You, You told so many of the things that really happened in raising my 2 girls, one is 36 and the other is 32, with little girls of their own, their turn to live your story. thank you, and God Bless.
Beautiful. Sitting at the computer crying. I could relate as both a mother, and a daughter with a wonderful mother. Thank you. xo
This is just absolutely lovely….
Not only did I shed tears of happiness for all those times my mum has been there for me, I shed even more that I will be able to be there for my baby girl Matilda x thank you, that was beautiful
Oh how I love this!!!
Thank you for your words. That post captured my heart of the mother I plan to be and the Mother I had. I have a 6 year old daughter and My Mom passed to heaven 5 months ago. I miss her so, but feel so blessed to be Mom to the beautiful girl God has entrusted to me.
Thank You for this post. Your words are a reflection of my life. My mother has seen me through all of those things and more. She has taught me, and still teaching me, how to do the same for my children.
I left my only child at college Thursday. It was truely the hardest thing I have yet to do as a parent. Leave her at the curb 4 hours away. She had a little anxiety issue mid-day and we went to get supplies. I told her that anxiety can make her have feelings of doubt and create negative energy. “Stop thinking about the what if’s and think about the things that you know! make yourself laugh at one of the silly things we have done together! That is what I am here for- I am your strength when you are weak, I am the audience when you want to just speak, I am the critic when something must be said. At the end of the day, we are together forever and ever and I will always have your best interest in front of mine. You hold my heart in yours and I will be there any time, any place, for any reason. That’s what moms do!”
Your message was sent to me by my high school best friend. She still knows me so well and knows I needed to read your words to remind me that this is only one step in life- so many others ahead.
thank you. I really needed that. hugs!
Just. Wow.
So well thought out and insightfully expressed – thank you. This is why one of “our songs” (mine and my daughter’s) is “You Can’t Lose Me” by Faith Hill. Found your piece on a friend’s page on Facebook in honor of her daughter going away to college. Timely and timeless. Thanks again.
Lovely! That certainly speaks for what is in this Mother’s and Grandmother’s heart.
My 24 year old daughter is going through a lot right now this is perfect and I hope its OK to share ….how beautiful
This is the most negative thing I have EVER READ and hope none of these things are ever repeated to a child. EVER. Reality should be in there but with positive reinforcement all the way through. Scary, awful, blog…
Also, your initial negative description about your own daughter is awful. Things she will remember always that you say about her
My friend sent me this link on my FB page. I sit here with tears pouring and in awe of the beauty of your words. My daughter is 3 and has Cystic Fibrosis. I pray each day I can be the best mom possible for her. I pray more each day that she is here to experience all you wrote. I’ll always be here. I’ll always come. And should she be called Home before her mommy, I will never leave her. Thank you for your words.
Lisa-Jo, I saw this wonderful ‘story’ when my 24-year old daughter posted it and said that I was ‘all of this and then some’. I have read it over and over, with tears every time. It is perfect, in itself. It is even more perfect for me because my daughter saw the two of us in it. Thank you… and bless you and your little angel.
Lisa, my 24-year old daughter sent this to me just now. My heart pounds with emotion, my eyes are too tired to shed more tears. She is the oldest of four sister, her baby sister is 13 years old. I have ALS, and a probable shortened life span. I may never help with a grand baby or unpack a new home box. But my daughter knows the promise that if I cannot show up, the promise of my legacy of love will forever. . I will come in the love of who I am. . .And better still. . .Because I came, they will know the way to come to their children. Thank you for the gift!
God Bless you Tracey, I am praying for you. They know you came & you will continue to here and then from above, you’ll always be with them xxooxxoo Rachelle
“have moved in with his in-laws” – that would be her parents.
My mother passed away in March of last year. One of the hardest things for me was realizing that she would never be able to share in my join and my pain ever again as you describe doing for your daughter in this post. But, reading this made me realize that it doesn’t matter that she can’t physically be there ever again. I am 50% of who my mother was, so she will always be with me. It’s probably the first time since her death that I have ever not wanted to crawl into the ground and die. You made me remember that a mothers love is unconditional and persists through everything – even death. Thank you.
Lisa,
The words were just a sweet song of love and devotion, until the word “Zoe”
The drop of bitter mixed, and drops of tears filled my eyes
Zoe is what her name was, Zoe means abundant life
Now she is there for me instead
http://just4mepoetry.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-miss-you.html
Thank you! (Even though you made me shed tears while clinging to my beautiful chubby 4 month old daughter)
This is beautiful!
Beautiful! I do not have kids, cats? But I am a Daughter, an Aunt, God Mother to my Niece, Sister, Friend & Wife. I get this. I was there when Abi was born. Now, she’s getting married in December. I pray she knows that I will come. ( I was also there all the days, years in-between) She’s 22 & that is a funny age. I remember, I’m 45. I hope she remembers I was there. I think she will fully understand it someday. <3 your blog is beautiful! Rachelle
Whew….I got your poem sent via Facebook from my oldest Daughter. There are so many ways to validate ones successes in life regarding being a Mother…I just got mne. :) she just got married a little over two months ago, I was so consumed with eerything being perfecy for the two of them that I never really let it soak in that I am a Mother In Law AND going to be a Magi (Grandmother) in Nov.!!! OMG I can’t wait for her to come over this afternoon so i can give her the Biggest Hug!!
this was a soulful journey of motherhood for me , I’m not sure I was always as understanding as i should have been but i hope my dauhters know I will always be there for them whenever they need me .I was fortunate to have a Mom that would always come to help me ,and now even though she has been dead for 12 years I still can feel her love around my family.I hope I can be half the Mom that she was…
Saw this the day after my mom’s death. I cannot express how it touched my heart.
Thank you.
I cannot thank you enough for this post. Honestly, you have changed my life, and my children’s lives by this post. This is what I want to be and what I want for my children. I somehow let a concern of making sure they’re “independent enough” cloud my judgement and my true desire to be there for them whenever they need me. No more. I changed the day I read this. I have kept it open on my computer as a reminder how to and that it’s ok to love like this. Thank you.
Such a beautiful post. Thank you.
My baby girl just moved away to college and my heart hurts. I so needed this and I will share this with her.
THANK YOU for expressing these thoughts so beautifully!
This is so moving… words can hardly describe. Thank you for writing this. I so needed to read it this morning.
Your words went right in to my heart. My oldest daughter just moved to England (we live in sweden) And my youngest is in her early teenages. Thankyou for the beautiful words,it gives strength.
That little girl, my only daughter, is in the Navy serving our country. God please watch over her because I cant. She’s left my reach and I must put her in your arms. Thank you.
Just exactly how I feel about my daughters. #1 job – I will be there no matter what. I’m not perfect but I will always come. Just beautifully expressed.
Reading this just reminded me of everything my mother ever done for me. It’s going on two months since she past and I miss her so much. Mommy I love you so much and miss you more then words will ever explain. Always in my heart and under the same blue sky.
This is just lovely, and could be written by none other than a mom.
This. I have no words to describe how much this touched me. Your words made me cry. Heartbreakingly beautiful. I’ll be happyif I turn out to be only a fractioin of the mom you just described.
On a sidenote, would you consider adopting me? Cause I sure could use some of that, too, sometimes ;)
These are the words and ideas, I needed to remember today. Thank You
I loved this.
Teresa
This made me cry. Again. And again.
Well written and so true love for a child overrides all!
Your words are beautiful and everything I would and will say to my daughter! Thank you for writing them down!
My daughter, a “I’ll come”… “I’ll always be there” mother of two toddlers directed me to your website. Reading your heart-felt piece – that only a mom could write by the way – I had to smile as I warmly recalled the women in my life who not only can identify with your comments and sentiments, but have (and are) living them. Thank you for providing me with a sweet trip down memory lane!
I’m saying this will everything that is in me for my daughter and wishing with everything that is in me that my mom had said it to me.
Amazing article. Thank you.
Well I just cried my eyes out at work. Beautiful, well-written and straight from the heart. Thank you for that, I needed that today. Calling my mamma right now to tell her how much she means! I know we can’t ever say it enough.
Hi…that is beautiful.
(However, if she’s moved in with “his in-laws,” wouldn’t that be with you? Don’t know if that’s was your intent…
Hi there, im new here… actually it my first time blogging. I am also a new mommy to my 2 year old daughter. This poem was so touching brought me to tears. I have prayed for the gift of writing her a similar letter and what I hope for her future, but I can never seem to get it down on paper so poetically as you have just demonstrated….Do you have any advice that might help me achieve this precious gift to my daughter?
THANK YOU! It was so very touching.
that was beautiful thanks for posting.
Emily, I love you to the moon and back. I will always be there. Love, Mom
what’s the worst mistake a mother can make??? i love this, it’s so beautiful, but i can’t figure that part out. thanks!
these words are beautiful-and my worth is knowing my daughter feels these words are true!-That she can call on me and I will be there-gladly —
Her love is what makes my world rock!—Just knowing she knows she is loved and she can call is what makes my life worthwhile-my daughter–my greatest accomplishment!
Lisa jo- you have no idea- and yet every idea. I have a little guy who’s 2 & was convinced we would be a “boy” family… I’m pregnant with what we just found out is a girl. A tiny little girl. Your words are beautiful & I can only hope to model the same strength and love for my daughter. It makes me long to look into her beautiful eyes… But for now, I’ll just hold her so close on the inside & feel her dancing around!!! Your writing touches my heart every.single.time. And I just wish you lived next door!!! Thank you for sharing your gift with us… You are a delight, encourager & motivator.
Its like you read my thoughts! You seem to know so much
approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it
or something. I believe that you just can do with some p.c.
to drive the message home a little bit, however other than that, that is fantastic blog.
A great read. I’ll certainly be back.