This year I had already decided not to get flowers or a card for my mother, not because I don't love her but because I don't even know where all the cards are that I have received in the past.  I decided instead to dedicate every Sunday to spending time with her and my daughter.   So we will have Mother/Daughter Day every Sunday as a way to celebrate our connection.   Overall though I am glad there is a day to celebrate motherhood. 

I was thinking about Mother's Day and how proud I am of my kids.  I thought to myself wow; I couldn't celebrate this day if it weren't for them.  And while my son is older and I am a mother because of him, my daughter's existence made me into a good mother. 

Not to say my son doesn't need me to mother him, it's just different.  A boy needs his mother to teach him how to have compassion, how to treat a woman…which of course is extremely important. 

My friends that only have boys don't necessarily have it easier than I do having one of each, but there is a distinct difference.   I truly believe that it takes a man to teach a boy to be a man.  My daughter on the other hand is who she is because of me.  Right or wrong good or bad she is the direct result of my parenting and mothering skills. 

So today on Mother's Day I reflect on my voyage with her becoming a woman and how close she is to being one.  I realize that the connection I have with her is stronger than any other connection I have ever had in my entire life.   She lived in me and she will have the same miracle happen to her one day.   Not only has she made me into a better mother, but a better woman as well.   

A daughter is born with inner nurturing and compassion that all women have.  But a daughter does need to know from her mother how to love herself, which can't be taught but has to be learned through example.  So to me having a daughter is harder because I have those two little eyes watching me and learning how to love herself from my example. 

I love my self because of the example my mother showed me.  And I decided that my mother had everything to do with who I am as a woman today.  I have watched her and while most of the time I had to learn the hard way, she was a good example.  The example I hope I am to my daughter.