Thank you, Mom!
In February, we took Leif to my Mom’s gravesite.
It was my first time there since Mom was buried.
After Elizabeth told me she was expecting (which is a story in itself), after I got over the shock, after it settled in, I wished we could tell my Mom. I wondered what she would’ve said, how excited she would’ve been.
Many times during (and since) Elizabeth’s pregnancy, I wish we could’ve called Mom to talk to her about stuff. I wish we could’ve shared the anticipation, the frustration, the hope with her. It was an amazing thing to call Pop at 6:30 am on 11/15/06 to tell him of the arrival of John Leif Dishman. I wonder what Mom would’ve said.
After we took Leif home, my eyes slowly began to open to what my Mom gave me. As Elizabeth and I cared for this newborn, I realized that no one can ever really thank their mother in a way she deserves. No kid will ever really know what his Mom gave him. How could I ever thank my Mom for all the midnight feedings, diaper changes, TLC? How can you thank someone who all in one instant experiences the emotions of compassion, frustration, perplexion(?), worry and anger with a dollup of fatigue on top, all bound together in love?
After almost 9 months of Leif’s life, I know that his Mother does and will sacrifice herself every day for his well being. Her gift to him is something that is wondrously different from mine.
I wish my Mom could see him grow up. Maybe she’s cheering him (and his mother) on right now…
Today would have been Mom’s 64th birthday. We miss you, Mom!
