The Legacy

My mom is coming up to visit this weekend and I can't wait to see her.

My mom and I have been through a lot together. We have our ups and downs. She veers towards being harsh and extremely matter of fact. She's not always good at handling her children's emotions or saying something with tact.

I am sensitive but hide it under a tough exterior. My mother wears her sensitivity on her sleeve. You make the wrong comment and she will get hurt. However, she will turn around and feel that she can say anything to me and I should suck it up. Oftentimes, I do. I just take things and out of respect for her, I don't retaliate.
I am not a lover of drama.

Over the years, I have learned to not let some of her mom-isms get to me. A lot of it is meant well, she just doesn't say it in the right way. I really do think that is an inherent Caribbean trait. We may want to say "Wow, you look great. Have you lost weight?" but instead it will come out "Yuh too skinny. No man is gonna want a skinny woman." You feel me?

So many times, I call my mom looking for support and I will end up having to call elsewhere or find it in myself. However, I love her to pieces. That is just her way.

She is also the woman that had two children when my father was gone and raised us both to be good people. We care about our family and each other. Last year when she was undergoing surgery, her two kids stayed at her side the entire time.

Her greatest gift was to always make us laugh at ourselves and not take anything too seriously. She is a natural born comedienne. She can cook her behind off and she is always a diva. One of the best dressed women I know, with a knack for always looking pulled together. She will give you the shirt off her back if you need it and she would sacrifice her last dollar for her children.

So maybe she tends to have a harsh tongue but she has a huge heart. I wouldn't have it any other way.