I was born and raised in Costa Rica and even though the U.S. (where my husband and now daughter are from) is my new home, Costa Rica will always be home to me.
This is why I still keep some Costa Rican traditions and celebrate some of our holidays. I want my daughter to know where her mom came from.
Today is Mother’s Day in Costa Rica. For me, it’s the “real” Mother’s Day since all of my life I’ve celebrated it on this date.
My mom has been an amazing person throughout my life. She has always showered me with unconditional love. She’s always believed in me and supported me in everything I wanted to do – even those things she didn’t really agree with. My mom showed me that no matter what she would always be there for me, to be my cushion, to give me love, some words of wisdom or just to hear me out.
My mom has become my best friend. Her dedication, love and honesty made me feel safe and secure, so I shared my life with her. She probably knows more about me than any of my friends. She was the only person I knew would give me an honest answer to help me become a better person. She’s an incredible woman and now that I’m a mother myself I appreciate her even more.
She put her life on hold to be my mom, to be my brother’s mom. Every single day when I came back from school my mom would be there to pick me up. I knew she had a job, she’s a computer science professor at the University of Costa Rica but I don’t remember her working. I remember her being with me, playing, cooking, singing, dancing and just hanging out with me. My mom has now 3 master’s degrees and a PhD, and somehow she managed to be sort of a stay at home mom for me and my brother , keep the house clean, cook the best foods and desserts and advance in her career. Now that I’m mom I’m starting to think she must have had a superpower in order to have been able to accomplish all of this.
This Mother’s Day is very special to me. It is my first one.
I’ve always appreciated and respected all mothers but it is until now that I know what it really means to be a mom.
My dear Cookie,
From the day you were born you filled my heart with a love I didn’t know existed. All you had to do is look into my eyes. That’s how powerful you are.
When you were a tiny bitty baby you refused to be away from me and I cherished every second you wanted to be in my arms because I knew someday you would be embarrassed when I kissed you or I told you how much I love you in front of your friends.
Before you came I loved to sleep in. After you came, I had to be up every morning at 6am. Even though I was exhausted from entertaining you the day before and working while you were sleeping, as soon as I saw that big smile of yours my tiredness would go away. What a great way to start my day!
You got sick once (so far) and I held you for 2 weeks, day and night, to make sure you knew I was here for you. I might have hallucinated from the lack of sleep – ok, I might be exaggerating – but I knew you couldn’t understand what your little body was going through and I had to keep you safe.
There is something about you, about your smile, about your little voice – which sounds like the most beautiful music my ears have ever heard -, about your presence that makes my life (and daddy’s life) so much better.
I know realize being a mom means I put you before me. Being a mom means I am there for you. Being a mom means I do anything and everything I can to protect you, to keep you happy, to make sure you feel loved, to teach you how to live your life, it means I am here for you but at the same time I give you freedom, freedom to be yourself and express who you are.
I love spending time with you….so much that when people ask me if I need a break I say “no”. I don’t want to be away from you because your company is what makes me happy and because I know my time with you is limited. You will be all grown up before I know it and I want to look back and know I savored every moment.
You might not remember but you slept in our bed every night. Your dad and I made this decision after your refuse to sleep anywhere else and now we couldn’t be any happier. You are such a great sleeper and such a calm baby. You wake up every morning with a huge smile on your face.
And when you and your dad are sleeping, I look at both of you and realize how lucky I am to have you both in my life.
You have taught me so much in your {almost} 7 months of life. You have changed me…for the better. You have shown me what’s truly important in life and you have given me strength to stand up for what I believe in, to stand up for you.
Cookie if you read this some day, I want you to know how much I love you. I want you to know that we played every day, that we napped together when you got tired, that we ate together, that I nursed you to sleep and during your nursing gymnastics sessions, that we stared at each other…I want you to know I put a pause on my life so I could give you my all, now that you need me, now that you want me and that when you are ready I will let you fly away.
Cookie without you I wouldn’t know what it means to be a mother so I want to thank you for giving me the most precious gift: being your mom. I truly feel honored to be your mom.
I love you!
-Mama
Su Carey says
Happy Mothers Day.