Love and Learnings

Through the course of this interview I really saw how my mom bridges the gap in generational learning between my Omi and I. I could see directly how her beliefs about love, family, womanhood, and peace were instilled in her by my Omi, placed into a modern context, and repackaged for me. For example, I didn’t realize how much of my mom's skills for time management and organization really took hold in me. In her interview she talks about how she balances her time. She says that there are so many hours in a day, restful time is non-negotiable, self care time is non negotiable, and you have to work everything in together. While you push forward on all of your other goals, work in those restful moments and time to spend with people you love. She’s always instilled in me that time is one thing that I cannot get back and you can’t miss moments that you aren’t able to recapture. That outlook has allowed me to create my rules for life. I try my absolute hardest to miss a party, show, or opportunity to support someone that I care about. That's because my mom taught me that those moments are more valuable than spending a few more hours working or doing something you could do at another time. 

The next thing that really stood out to me from my mom's interview was the concept of "the pivot." We love that word. When I was younger I absolutely hated it. I thought that it meant diminishing your feelings or denying yourself the opportunity to process the hard things in life. But it's exactly the opposite. It's all about recognizing the power you have in otherwise frustrating situations and building the mental toolset to help yourself feel better. I've seen my mom pivot on many occasions and as I've gotten older, I've even been able to remind her of her own advice. 

In my mom's discussion of my Omi and Papa, she says that she has no clue how my Omi made everything happen. She tells me stories about my Omi waking up earlier than the rest of the family, making hot breakfast for school every morning, having all three of her kid's uniforms pressed and ready to go, and making it look seamless. I would like to add that I have no idea how my mom does it, either! We often joke that raising me was like raising ten kids and that's why she only had one. She was so present and attentive while maintaining a career as a practicing attorney and still supports me across state lines as an almost grown young lady who is still the same little girl that needed her mommy's help at heart. Like my Omi, my mom says that as a mother you just do your best and make it happen. Her best is extraordinary and it gives me hope that one day I can lead my family with that same amount of love. 

It is so clear for me that my mom has prioritized my well being and success. Thinking to the future, this interview highlighted for me how badly I want her to be able to center herself and experience new things in the next chapter of her life. I dream of sending my parents on vacation, buying them a new home, and allowing them to enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice all these years.