Mommy

I want to start by saying that I've never had a good relationship with my mom. Ever. For many, many reasons my family has been meeeeessed up and she and I never got along growing up. But this evening, I felt like I met her for the first time. And she is a beautiful woman.

It's not that she's perfect, or does everything as I'd like or how I'd want her to do it. But she's Virginia. She has her struggles and she can relate to some of mine. She sends me postcards just to tell me that she had a good lunch with me. She buys me funny socks for even the most bizarre holidays. She flies across the country to see my concerts because she wouldn't miss something so important to me.

She's my mom, and I'm finally getting to know her. Tonight I went over to her house for Thanksgiving with her and my brother. He and I haven't really been close either, but for the first time, I say honesty in his eyes. We talked. I was reserved, but that comes from years of self-training. We'll see if I can start to open up to him- only time will tell me that one. But the three of us had a really nice dinner, and then they listened intently as I told them about my trip back to the Carolinas for college shopping.

I know she doesn't want me to leave, but she's supporting me. She sees that it's what I want to do and that I'm finding a way to do it. She sees the hope in me and she sees that I need to leave this place. She connected with me. I wish I could have stayed longer- I just wanted to keep talking with her. Buuut, alas, I have another family commitment in the morning. I just know one thing for sure:

I'll be spending much more time with her in the months to come :) So tonight, I'm thankful for you Mommy. I love you ♥