Full Circle

My house is quiet. G is napping and my Mom (who G calls Gigi) just left after being here for the last two days. Tomorrow, she flies to Alaska to spend six weeks with my Dad on the fishing boat.

Can I just say I've never seen her so upset over leaving? And it's not because she's leaving me...it's because she's leaving the boy.

Her G. They are like peas and carrots.

I always knew my Mom would be a wonderful grandmother, but I had not idea that she'd be THIS great. I mean, she's crazy about G. And he's crazy about her. They have the BEST time.

Growing up, my Mom and I had, well, a strained relationship. I mean, we always loved each other, but man, we fought. Complete personality clash. She compared me to other kids. To me, I felt she was hyper-critical (I know now she was just pushing me to do better - but I also realize there are better ways to encourage kids).

As I got older, we argued about my choices. First, I partied a little too hard for her taste (Okay, I can cop to that. But I was in my early twenties. Sheesh.) And I stopped going to church. Don't get me wrong. I tried SEVERAL churches. But I always ran into the same crud that left me with a pit in my stomach when I left. I won't go too far into it, but I basically got really tired of the do as I say, not as I do judgmental stuff that goes along with many (yes, I know not all) church settings.

Then, when I settled down, I moved in with my boyfriend, who is now my husband. We lived together nearly three years before we married. This was a huge point of contention. Colossal. I was not brought up to live with someone before I was married.

But somehow, when B and I were married, my relationship with my Mom changed abruptly and for the better.

And then, when G arrived, well, she became one of my best friends. For reals. And I love it.

I can't express how grateful I am to have a supportive mom. Maybe I didn't feel like I had that as a young adult, but now, as a fledgling parent, I have all the support from her I could ever ask for.

And G? Well, he has the best Gigi. He's one lucky little boy.