Women of Strength: A Mother-in-Law Blessed

My oldest son is getting married in a few days. I wasn’t able to attend my youngest son’s wedding. It was an impromptu affair, with only two weeks notice. Unfortunately, I had surgery planned the day before and couldn’t make the four hour drive while recuperating, so I had to miss my baby boy’s wedding. My heart has been broken ever since. In fairness, my daughter-in-law’s family all live in other countries and couldn’t get there in time either, but still, to miss your child’s wedding is simply the worst thing ever. We’re so thrilled to be able to attend this one.

Women hold the weight of the world on their shoulders. We raise our children as well as our husbands for they never seem prepared really for adulthood let alone family life. We feel our children as they begin moving inside of us, hearing their heartbeat seemingly for the first time at the doctor’s office. Yet every mother knows that the heart connection formed the moment the possibility of her children entered her mind. We watch them grow up, cheering them on, drying their tears, guiding and nurturing them, waiting for the day when they go out into the world. They make us so proud, and there are never words adequate to express the love and commitment a mother feels.

I also hoped that my sons would find strong women with whom to share their lives. Women who will stand in their own power and live their own truth. Women who value education and self-empowerment, who make their own way, setting the tone and example for others to follow. Women who don’t have to find their voice because theirs’ was never lost.

My sons have found such women. I’ll say it again. My sons have found such women. One has a Masters in Behavioral Analysis and works with autistic children. The other does dastardly things to mice while working toward her Ph.D. in Neuroscience. How much more fabulous could they both be? Because here’s the thing. I don’t have to worry about my boys anymore. Both women have taken my boys outside their comfort zones, challenging them to be more. And that makes me smile.

It also makes me cry. The gratitude alone I feel toward these two women can never be adequately expressed except to say that you both honor all the women who came before you with your integrity and sense of purpose, your compassion and focus, and your drive and commitment to your life as it unfolds. You’ve created the space in your lives for my sons to love you, and know that their father and I feel the same.

I will say it one last time: my sons have found powerful and loving women with whom to share their lives. You’ve made our lives better just by being here. I love you both to the moon and back and forever.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.