Author: BrittanyShawnte

First things first, happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there! Thank you for all you do and I hope you have an amazing day!

With this site, I definitely wanted posts about my own life as well, and the lessons I’ve learned over the years. With today being Mother’s Day, it’s only fitting that I share a post about my own mom.

I am my mother’s firstborn. Over the years, we definitely had our ups and downs, filled with jokes and laughs, misunderstandings and arguments, lessons learned on both sides probably, but, most importantly, love. Even in our down moments, I know she loved me and wanted the best for me. Still does. And she taught me a lot over the years. As a kid and even a teen going through puberty with a huge need of an attitude adjustment, I didn’t appreciate it. Now, as a young adult pushing through life, I realize that she was only trying to prepare me for life.

From the get go, my mother never let me settle. She always pushed me to take on new things, enrolling me in different camps and clubs and pushing me to do things at church, encouraging me to work, and ultimately helped me to break out of my comfort zone. She stayed on top of me about grades and applying to colleges and scholarships, pushing me to pursue my potential wholeheartedly. When I was younger, I was annoyed honestly, but, years later, I’m more confident in trying new things, and I refuse to settle for less than I can achieve and deserve.

Mom also taught me sacrifice. The practice of truly putting people before yourself. I knew and saw that when I was younger, but I really see it now as she helps to raise my now 11-year-old cousin. When my aunt passed away early last year, my parents took in my cousin, who was only 9 at the time. Now, my mom is constantly moving her schedule around again, cutting out things she likes to do or just relaxing moments, to do things for my cousin. In quietly observing that, I remember that she did all of that for me and my little sister too. Putting aside things to make us happy, or to try any way. I don’t always like it (I’m still letting go of my selfish spirit a little bit), but now I try to sacrifice more for my mom when she needs me to now.

My mother also silently taught me to be a pillar of strength. I’ve seen her go through a lot, especially over these past two years losing her mom and sister less than a year apart, and she’s been a rock. She has her down moments, I’m sure, but she keeps pushing through. Like I’ve said before, life comes at you hard, but you have to keep going. You may have some breakdowns and downfalls, hurt and grief, and you should allow yourself to feel all of that. But it’s important to get up and keep going, because life, sadly, does keep moving no matter what. So that’s why I do. I learned that partly from my mom.

Mom, thank you for all you’ve done for me, Alexis, and Babez. I’m sorry that I didn’t always show you how much I appreciate you, but I’m thankful for all that you’ve done, and all you still do. Thank you for your sacrifices, lessons and love.  I love you much. 

Imperfectly,