A Phenomenal Woman - Mother's Day W/O
Apr 26 '04
The Bottom Line Hope you enjoy this essay.
This is part of my Mother’s Day W/O. This is a chance for all of you to show how much you appreciate your mothers, wives, grandmothers or "mother-figures" by participating in this write-off. You can write bout anything; the sky’s the limit. Mothers, you can also participate by writing about a particular gift you may have received from your child(ren) or anyone special in your life. It’s just a good way to show how much we appreciate all mothers out there and I hope you decide to participate.
My title is a little deceiving. I'm sure many would automatically think that I would be writing about my mom. She is a phenomenal woman; one of the most amazing women I know. But, this essay isn't about my mother - it's about my future mother-in-law, Jean.
It's interesting how people come into your life and Jean is no exception. I had a pretty close relationship with her before we even met. Without going into too much detail because some it is too personal, our initial conversation was amazing. I needed to talk to her about something and wasn't exactly sure how she would respond. I mean, how many girlfriends call their boyfriend's mothers to ask them a favor? Dialing the numbers was a scary event for me. What does she know about me? Does she even want to talk to me? What's she going to think about me calling her?
All doubts were immediately dissolved with that first "Hello." She was so warm and inviting and she was actually happy to hear from me. "I've been dying to speak to you for so long, but I lost your phone number. It's so nice to hear your voice finally. You're all Chris talks about when he calls." Talk about an unexpected welcome.
Ever since that first conversation, Jean and I became close. This last year was especially hard for both Chris and I and we needed a change. Jean asked us to move to Canada and they would help us get on our feet. It was a hard decision for me to make because once again, I would be picking up my life and moving to unknown territory. Not only that, but now I'm being asked to move in with complete strangers. I'm not even sure if I weighed all my options, but the next thing I knew, I've packed up my life once again and now I'm moving back to the other side of the continent, except now, I'm going to be living in a different country.
The first time I met Jean, I said to her, "Oh my gosh, you look so much younger in person." She really does look younger than her age (which I won't reveal), and she took an immediate liking to me. To be quite honest, I was a nervous wreck and I just blurted the first thing that came to mind. We did a lot of talking during our drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island.
Jean is a very warm, inviting and caring woman who really looks out for others. She's big on hugs and she always loves to hug people because according to her, "Sometimes people look like they need a hug. I'm a hugger." She's always smiling and can find a way to make you smile, even when you're feeling down. She takes chances - I mean, she took the both of us in, not really knowing anything about me and I'm not sure how many mothers or anyone for that matter, who would take in a complete stranger.
The first few weeks were almost a blur. She was so glad to have her son home that everyone we saw on the street, she would stop them and say, "This is my older boy, Chris and his girlfriend, Dionne." They just moved here from Alaska." Everywhere we went, she would start off by saying that. Not only that, but it seemed that everyone knew Jean and they all loved her and would be so happy to see her. I met so many different people that first week, I honestly thought I met everyone who lived on the island.
Not everything has been roses since I've been here. I mean, right now, I can't work because I don't have a work permit and it's been a hassle just to get that ball rolling. It was hard the first few months because we were all still getting used to each other and I'm sure there were many awkward situations for everyone involved. Can you imagine coming into a situation where an entire family changes their life around for two people? I'm still amazed that this actually happened. But in the 10 months that Chris and I moved here, we've moved into our own home (right next door to Jean), we're getting married, and our lives have done a complete 180 from where we were at this time last year in Alaska all with the persistence and help of Jean and her family.
Jean has especially been great with me and I still can't believe how much she has helped me. We've spent a lot of time together and we've talked about a lot of things, mainly life in Alaska and the events leading up to the move. The whole time, she has treated me like I was one of her own children. When we go out and she introduces me to someone, she'll say, "This is Dionne, my daughter-in-law to be. She just moved here with my son from Alaska." She's never made me feel like an outsider in any way shape or form and she won't let a moment pass when she won't say how much she likes having me here.
Everyday that goes by I think about what Jean and her family had to have sacrificed to get us here. She had not seen Chris in over 10 years, she's meeting me for the first time and all of us are getting to know each other. Yet the whole time, she's never once complained or made it seem as if we owe her because she took us in. I will be forever grateful for all she's done this past year to make us feel welcome.
Mother's Day is in a couple of weeks and I'm not exactly sure what to get her. No amount of money will be enough to repay her for all she's done and continues to do for us. I tell her all the time how much I appreciate all she's done and now you all know what a phenomenal woman she is. I just that when I become a mom, I will be just as caring and affectionate.
I can honestly say that I now have two amazing mothers in my life and they make this world a better place.
Take care.
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Dionne25
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Location: PEI, Canada
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I'm a proud mamma of 2 boys!!!
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