Mother's Day is a day to appreciate the endless hours spent comforting, guiding, and cheering on our children through every milestone and challenge. It's a day to honor the boundless love that defines motherhood.
As a mom of three grown kids, I've experienced the rollercoaster of emotions that come with it. I clearly remember getting emotional when I saw Abigail’s preschool cutting and pasting. I remember the journey of first car ride, first words, first steps to that tiny, first school table and thinking only a mom could tear up over this art. Abigail is my lover of all animals, especially horses. I have always admired her passion and talent. I’ve never loved doing anything as much as she loved riding her horse. My kitchen was really ugly for most of our days, but Im happy that my equestrian had her horse and the horse had new shoes. Abigail was always the working student, getting up at 4am, grooming for the other girls, and going to the barn at 8pm to water and have last eyes on the horses. It really wasn’t about the $10 a day off lessons and board to close the barn. I would have paid $20 to not have to drive her there to do it. It was about working hard for what she wanted, and she did.
If you know my son, you can imagine the sleepless nights I had as he learned his back flips on skis and scooters and off lifeguard chairs and train trellises. People have always asked how I can handle it. Well, Im filled with great fear for him. We talk a lot. We educate a lot. And then we let him do what makes me happy. I always say, you can’t be badass and awesome sitting home on the couch. He did swim team and little league for me. Also he has taught me everything I know about not being a slave to the system, figuring out how to make your dreams a reality and living for today.
Then came Juliana, my comedian, fashionista, and dancer. It was so fun being her mom. She taught us all the benefit of the best beauty products and the value of a good shoe. That girl got sequins and shoes for every birthday and Christmas from the time she was 2. Nothing made her happier. Remember the days of buying shoes at Sears? We’d leave the tile walkway through the store to that small carpeted area. I remember when she was 4, Jules would try on the shoes and then go to the tile walkway to walk in them. If they didn’t make high-heel clicking noises, she absolutely did not want them. Oh the struggles to get that girl to wear a sensible sneaker for a day at Disney world. I’m not sure why I didn’t just let her wear her stylish sandals and pack the keds… this is my advice today. She’s always been the tallest. She moves with grace and beauty all her own. As a dancer, Jules shined on stage. She invested so much and was so good at it. But at the highest level, it was a long day of school followed by a long gruelling night of dance. She knew when it was time to walk away to enjoy doing other things. It was a hard choice for me, but it was the right one.
Throw in anxiety for a couple, seizures for 1, and life shifting t1d for another. I thought learning to spell and do math might break us all. There were failures, mean girls, heartache, broken bones, and a couple run-ins with the law. Mommin’ ain’t easy, but ALL of it helped them grow into thoughtful, compassionate, and independent individuals.
As I entered the empty nest stage, I began designing and creating jewelry as a hobby. When I established a second home on the coast in Ecuador, I turned my focus to Tagua jewelry. Creating and sharing tagua jewelry has been a creative outlet that allows me to express my passion for design and my connection to this artisan tradition.
To all the moms out there, especially mine, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day filled with love, precious memories and new moments with your family. May you feel appreciated and cherished, not just today, but every day. I encourage all moms to take a moment to celebrate themselves and the incredible job they do every day. Oh, and your kids called… they said buy whatever you love.
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xo, Amber