I dropped my mom off at the airport last night.
It didn't really hit me that she was gone until this morning.
It was only a week but I got used to having her here to talk over coffee each morning.
Needless to say, this morning was a sad one for me.
We didn't do a lot of touristy things this time around.
I think she got that out of her system during her first trip.
We took walks, watched movies, cooked dinners, drank coffee, ate chocolate, Thundered up, talked about life, played with Zach and enjoyed the beauty of Hawaii.
It was the vacation with my mom I have always wanted.
The past year has been a tremendous year of change for my mom.
I feel like I have "my mom" back.
The one that I remember from my early teenage years.
I knew she was still there, she just needed to find the courage to make her way back to the surface.
And now she has.
I am so proud of the changes she has made.
She has found her independence and she has taken her life back.
Seeing her with Zach this past week was so heartwarming.
I will carry those memories with my for the rest of my life.
She is a great example that it is never too late to turn it all around.
And while I recognize that she is never going to be "perfect" (as she reminded me repeatedly) she is trying to be the best version of herself.
I think that is what counts.
It is so nice to hear her talk about her goals, friends, Church, and new hobbies.
There was a long period when I wasn't sure if she would have those things again.
Welcome back, Mom.
It didn't really hit me that she was gone until this morning.
It was only a week but I got used to having her here to talk over coffee each morning.
Needless to say, this morning was a sad one for me.
We didn't do a lot of touristy things this time around.
I think she got that out of her system during her first trip.
We took walks, watched movies, cooked dinners, drank coffee, ate chocolate, Thundered up, talked about life, played with Zach and enjoyed the beauty of Hawaii.
It was the vacation with my mom I have always wanted.
The past year has been a tremendous year of change for my mom.
I feel like I have "my mom" back.
The one that I remember from my early teenage years.
I knew she was still there, she just needed to find the courage to make her way back to the surface.
And now she has.
I am so proud of the changes she has made.
She has found her independence and she has taken her life back.
Seeing her with Zach this past week was so heartwarming.
I will carry those memories with my for the rest of my life.
She is a great example that it is never too late to turn it all around.
And while I recognize that she is never going to be "perfect" (as she reminded me repeatedly) she is trying to be the best version of herself.
I think that is what counts.
It is so nice to hear her talk about her goals, friends, Church, and new hobbies.
There was a long period when I wasn't sure if she would have those things again.
Welcome back, Mom.
