My Mother, My Friend

I have a new appreciation for my mother these days. About a month ago our lives were kinda turned upside down when Brad moved back in with us. Since then it's been hard for us to get into a routine. Not only is Brad here but most weekends we have the kids here also. We were used to having them spend the night, but not with their Dad here. That changes the game a bit. No longer are Nana and Papa in charge of what the kids can do, what they can eat, etc... So, needless to say it;s been a big adjustment for all of us. Last weekend it just really hit me, and I kinda had a little melt down (not in front of the kids or Brad), poor Doyle got the brunt of it. All of the sudden I needed to talk to my Mom and she was kind enough to drive to my house at midnight and stay with me and just talk about things. Her being willing and able to do that for me has allowed me to see her in a much different light. Now we speak almost everyday where before I might go weeks without talking to her. I've always had a "strained" relationship with her, but as I get older I do understand more about how her life has been. I've not always agreed with her choices (just as she has not always agreed with mine), but I do respect the choices that she has made in her life. Bottom line, they were hers to make (and mine were mine to make), and who am I to question that. I love my Mom and I don't want to keep her at bay any longer. At our ages now we can be more than Mother and daughter, we can be really good friends and that's hard to find these days.