The most important lesson my Mom ever taught me came while our family was planning her funeral. We were gathered to meet with our priest, when he asked if there was anything special we wanted to share about her. My brother said, “Ma loved us all, but I can tell you right now I was her favorite.” He wasn’t joking – he meant it. I was across the table thinking there was no way he was her favorite because I knew for sure I was. Then my sister spoke up saying, “No, I was Mom’s favorite, and I can tell you why.”
She then explained all the beautiful ways our mom made her feel just a little bit more special than the rest of us. The remainder of my eight siblings chimed in with their stories and they all felt like they were her favorites. I couldn’t believe how she was able to make nine kids all feel like they were so extraordinary.
Tears welled up in my eyes, because I realized I wasn’t the golden child – we were ALL golden children. Then as fast as the tears came, the clarity of what Mom was capable of came to me. How beautiful was her love that she made each child feel like they were the apple of her eye. Growing up, we didn’t have much, but somehow, she made us feel important, significant and loved.
Even though my siblings may not agree, I’m going to go to MY grave believing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was Mom’s favorite.
Colleen
To My Mom, We Were ALL Golden Children
