Throw Mama From the Train

This has been one of the hardest years of my life so far, and it is just May. With the year halfway over, it is too late to request a re-boot. I didn't make any resolutions. I didn't even acknowledge Lent like I usually do. If I were a Muslim who celebrated Ramadan, I'm sure I would have already messed that up too...

So with hours to go before Mother's Day arrives, I am feeling defeated. Unlike every other mother who is preparing to be lauded for all of the wonderful things she does for her family, I would rather just stay in bed to hide from my Kid. Not because I fear her, but because lately, I hate her.

I know, a good mother is not supposed to express such horrible feelings, especially not at this time of year when people are trying extra hard to make everyone feel guilty because of their Mama issues. And look, I have plenty of my own, so I am not judging anyone. Before she got sick, my Mother could be the opposite of joy. And since she's been sick, I refuse to put on rosy glasses; however, since becoming a mother myself...

I over-stand some of her issues. We were ungrateful little shits. So maybe she did deserve to act extra bitchy this time of year and maybe I could have grumbled less about the fact that she had two other children and a husband who were all capable of making plans to celebrate her fantastic-ness. But somehow, every damn year from 1996 to 2010, the expectation was on ME to properly celebrate her every May, and I failed.

Which is consistent as I have been failing at a lot of stuff lately. I am a bad Auntie to my newborn nephew whom I have yet to meet. I am a bad play grandmother to my cousin's son (whom I also haven't met yet). I am a bad line sister to the woman who held my hand during childbirth, who is now a mother herself and my trifling ass still hasn't delivered her son's Christmas gift. I am a bad leader Mommy to the women in my mommy group and they don't talk to me anymore. I am a bad friend because no one makes plans to do anything with me these days. I am a bad daughter for not spending a lot of time with my parents. And I am a bad Mommy to this strong-willed woman-child whom I love more than life itself because I also hate her sassy ass.

I own those feelings because I am not a lazy or mean or abusive or neglectful or indifferent parent. I try to be present with this child EVERY DAMN DAY. I show up for her. I sacrifice for her. I have missed out on activities for her. I have lost relationships over her. I struggle to attain some relevancy in life for her. But she is an ungrateful little shit, just like my sassy ass once was to my bitchy Mama. So here we are...the circle of life (I just watched The Lion King on Disney Junior).

I miss my Mother and need her guidance through this. But since I'm being honest, she probably wouldn't offer me any comfort. She would look me in the eye and say that it serves me right. The flip side to that is how the Kid tells me that I am not her friend anymore followed by a little tongue with sound effects.

But I get it. This is a painful weekend for many so why should you care about my insecurities? If you haven't unfollowed me or stopped reading by now, please know that I see you. Because of fucking Alzheimer's, I have an idea of how it feels to mourn a Mother's absence. Because of my "advanced maternal age", there were years when I just accepted the possibility that life had other plans for me. There may be many reasons why there is someone out there who would trade places with me...and if you are interested I can inbox you my address.