Mother's Day has always been (and will continue to be) a special holiday. For most of us, our mothers are some of our biggest supports and sources of inspiration. They are the people who urge us to keep us chasing our dreams, no matter how crazy they may actually seem. I remember when I was growing up, I used to look at my mother and the other women I would see interacting with their kids. I would always think to myself, "I can't wait until I have a kid." Don't get me wrong, I was certainly in no rush to have a child. I have just always felt like I would make a great mother at some point.
I admit, as I grew older, the thoughts of me having a child were pushed to the back of my mind a little, but they never left. What I was thinking about most was the pursuit of accomplishing my goal of playing in the WNBA. I worked extremely hard through my high school years and during my time at the University of Texas (Hook 'Em Horns!). Over the years, I (like many other athletes) was told over and over that the odds to make it to the professional level were extremely low. I didn't let that stop me and I just continued to work. Soon, I found myself tying my shoes as I mentally prepared to step out on the court as a professional. What a proud moment that was!
If we fast-forward a few years into my career, we soon reach the day I got the wonderful news I was expecting! I remember how I would flash back to that little girl growing up in Texas taking care of her dolls. I started to think how I would soon be taking care of my child, but I seemed to get very emotional when I would simply think about my mother. I would smile when I thought about us simply going to the mall or hanging out at home. Anytime I got to spend with her was a blessing and soon I would have an idea of what she felt when we were together.
The day soon came when my son, Marley, was born. When I first saw him, I couldn't believe he was actually mine. The adorable human who had been with me for every single step I made for so many months was now out for the world to see. My son... he.... he was more than I could have ever imagined. No words could express the surreal feeling I had as I held him for the first time. To say it was a beautiful moment would be an understatement.
As I write this, it just makes me smile even more, not just because of Marley, but because I know there are some more seasoned mothers (the vets) who are saying, "I remember when I thought everything was perfect." To those mothers I can say, although Marley isn't old enough to cause any trouble yet, I already have plenty of those "Is this really happening to me?" moments. One thing that immediately comes to mind is after I had my son and I decided to go back to school. At this point I wasn't on a feeding schedule yet. I was in class one day and I felt an unusual tingle. I didn't really know what was going on, but something made me look down. When I did, I was both shocked and embarrassed to see my shirt had two huge wet spots on it. I don't know if I learned anything from my professor that day, but my body certainly taught me a lesson: never leave home without your pumps!
Another thing that's gross, embarrassing and part of being a mother is when things don't go according to plans when changing diapers. Now, prior to having my son, I had always been told you have to be extremely careful when changing boys because, well, you know. Honestly, I didn't really pay much attention to that. However, after a few times of seeing firsthand my son doesn't seem to care at all that I'm his mother when he has to... well... do number 1, I certainly have started to think differently. In fact, my reflexes have become so quick, it's like I now see things in slow motion and I find myself dodging "Marley urine" like Neo was able to dodge things in The Matrix! Okay, perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration, but I feel I have certainly gotten quicker. I know our Shock fans will be like, "Wow, I wonder how Tiffany has gained so much speed?" They'll never know it's all because of my son!
In all seriousness, though, my son has to be the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Every time I look into his eyes, I realize how blessed I am. I have always wondered why so many times if you ask a mother what she wants for Mother's Day, she may reply, "Nothing." Now that I have my child (and about to experience my very first Mother's Day), I know it's not because you don't actually want anything, it's because no matter how good or how bad our kids may be sometimes, we realize what a gift they are and as a mother, nothing can top that!
Happy Mother's Day to my mom and ALL of the mothers out there!