BitterSweetLife

She sees more than meets the eye.

In the aftermath of Corsage Day, I’ve continued to think about the various reasons I love my mom. One of them is worthy of special attention because of its rarity and charm: her unbridled enthusiasm regarding my abilities. Lest I sound arrogant beyond belief, let me hasten to add that she no doubt has a similar enthusiasm for each of my siblings—and this too is praiseworthy. Praiseworthy, but secondary. This is my blog, after all!

For about two years, while I was absorbed in pre-med studies, my mom was my top booster. When I jettisoned medicine in favor of journalism and switched to the liberal arts side of the tracks, she switched allegiances with me. When I expressed a temporary interest in acting, she didn’t blink. Incredibly, she didn’t shoot down my FBI musings either. Now she’s a loyal follower of my theological development, somehow still finding time to suggest I may have latent leanings toward screenwriting.

With a mom like this, one feels the sky’s the limit, and if one eventually discovers the limit is actually around tree level, there’s no harm done.

Where she finds grounds for such persistent optimism I’ll never know. If it is all a charade, then she’s carried it off incredibly well—and only came out of character when we discussed my calculus scores. You're a visionary woman, Mom.