The Second Mom

I have a fabulous Mom – sometimes she frustrates me to no end, but that’s part of her job, and I love her so much. I also have a great Mother-in-Law and Step-Mom; lovely official and unofficial Godmothers; and a couple all important Second Moms. All of whom are fabulous mothers in their own right and I am very happy to have them in my life.

Being a single parent, my Mom worked her butt off so I could have ballet lessons, pointe shoes, piano lessons, musical theatre, food, and so she could be there for me – you know, she gave me the world as I needed/wanted it to be. I really don’t know how she did it and stayed sane. But I guess that’s what do for your kids, and I appreciate her beyond words. Je t’aime, Maman!! 

We didn’t have a car and that’s where one particular Second Mom is sincerely appreciated (and not just for the car). She is my Ballet Mom. Being a sales rep at the time, her car was well travelled to start. And then, when I was in high school, she drove me and her daughters to competitions, rehearsals, and recitals galore. That car had some serious mileage on it. She recently retired that car (navy blue, 80’s model, car brand and name escapes me but I want to say a Hyundai Sonata or a Toyota of some sort), and when I heard that, I was inexplicably saddened. I know, it’s a car. But it was a good car and I spent a lot of time in it.

Ballet Mom is also the person who taught me to make biscotti (which I have yet to master – and I’ve tried) and welcomed me into her home so often that it was pretty much my second home for a few years. I used to dance with her daughters, and they are each a few years younger than me. My relationship with Ballet Mom started when she asked me to “keep company with” (clear distinction from babysitting) the youngest every Wednesday. Ballet Mom was huge into swing dancing at the time and the older daughter had her own thing going on. The youngest wasn’t keen on staying home by herself but was very definitely not in need of a babysitter – I think she was 11 or 12 at the time.

When I graduated highschool, Ballet Mom and I became friends and she is one of the COOLEST ladies you will ever meet. Over the years she has provided great impartial guidance and support and one thing – among many – I really admire her for is not only changing careers, but making it work (she is now a successful caterer and private chef). She recently gave me a couple cooking lessons as a birthday present, and those lessons revived my interest in cooking. (Not to take away from my Mom, she taught me a lot – but did I retain the fancy things from her? No, of course not (that wasn’t my interest when I was 16) – which is a shame. That being said, my Mom is the reason I didnt’t starve when I first moved out on my own. 😉 )

I am very grateful for my Ballet Mom, a Second Mom – kind, patient, impartial, candid, and ever gracious – to me and a fantastic mom to her daughters.

Happy Mother’s Day!