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It wasn't too long ago that I was sitting in my living room after having an all out war with my boys. I was terribly upset and the phone rung. I said hello as best I could and it was my Mama on the other end. "I was sitting here and I felt like you needed me. Are you okay?" and I broke down. It was one of the most stupid little things that just caused a screaming match and hurt feelings. Even after apologizing to them, I just felt bad. My mama said, "They know that you love them. We all have our bad days and say and do things we don't mean. That's just being human." I never wanted to be more like her than I did in that moment.

My mother was like a rock. I could always lean on her and was often pushed by her to do what was best. I remember the fights we used to have and I wondered how she ever put up with all my crazy antics as a teenager and young adult. She simply said, "You were just finding your way. You had to screw up sometimes, that's what growing up is all about." My boys are still small, but they have a mean streak that is a mile long! I have often hugged my mama, after my kids have a wild episode, and simply said that I was sorry if I was ever that exhausting as a kid! She just laughs it off.

I always knew that I wanted to be a mother someday and when I finally had kids, I didn't know that it would be a job all by itself. My mama never gave me the "you reap what you sow" line. She is always there, no matter what, to guide me and I think she's still making sure that I do the right thing. I know I probably said as a teenager, "I won't be anything like my mama when I grow up. I'm gonna let my kids do whatever they want!" Truthfully, after bleaching permanent marker off of a white bedroom wall and scrubbing fuchsia nail polish out of the carpet, I now know that I wouldn't want to be like anyone else!

Learn more about this author, Mirandy Mckenzie.
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