Let’s start by introducing my mom. I’ve written a considerable amount about my dad since he passed away. He’s become an ever present force in a way he wasn’t when he was alive. My mom, though, she’s been around since day one, and in my advancing years… ( a joke, sorta ) I find myself enjoying more and more of the things, that as a teenager, I avoided.
Now to be fair, I think it’s pretty common for teenagers to resist certain things their parents like… From yoga and meditation, to diet, music, and media consumption. I preferred to go my own way. Developmentally, we all go through this in one way or another. It’s how we move from childhood to adulthood. As immature and ridiculous and I think I feel when I look back on teenage me, it’s that resistance to follow that helps us to develop our own sense of self, and eventually leads to a healthy, self-sufficient adulthood.
Now, 10 years later. I find myself embracing things I pushed away and admitting to myself that I do in fact have a profound appreciation for all the things my mom brought into my life. To list a few: yoga, mediation, simple foods, acoustic and non-pop music, NPR, a predilection for podcasts, reasonable bedtimes, daily journals, walks, vintage TV shows,books, and even some interior design aspects.
Some of these things I accepted earlier than others, but I think most recently in the last year I find myself amazed and truly grateful for the similarities I see now between my mom and I. We are still two very different people. But I can easily attribute my independence, mindfulness, and self-care to her. Love you mom.
How have you become more like your caregivers? How are you different?
Coffee & Conundrums 