Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my mom at the airport. It's been a tradition, dating back to when I had my first car that I would fetch her and drop her off for every visit.
Usually, when she arrives, There is always a mixture of excitement and dread as I fear that I don't live up to her expectations.
When she leaves, it feels like time has a mind of its own. I always feel like there was never enough time, even if we got in each other's hair.... at the end of the day, she is my mother and I love her dearly.
This time, it felt like we had a lot more opportunities to be together and share in dinners, and lunches, and special times (including an early celebration of my mom's birthday as she was leaving two days before it) together. I was incredibly proud to share my home, my family, and my life with my mom. There was something significantly different about her trip this year. The last few have been tumultuous, to say the least.
I feel like, for the first time, she was able to see beyond her very intense mother-duck syndrome, and actually see me as a human being - separate from her but always her daughter.
Look at these beautiful portraits of Squeek and Lexi, Handcrafted by my very talented mommy.
She put an incredible amount of thought into our gifts, for each individual in our family, and for the 1st time, I felt that she had come to terms with my mixed family, learned to love 
I suppose this visit was easier because we didn't have the pressure of Christmas, but it also has to do with a lot of emotions that we've had to work through in the year we've spent apart.
The last two or three years have been hell for my family, and nt all of us made it out alive, or with mental, emotional and compassionate growth. It's taken time to heal and forgive. But Heeling and forgiveness takes active and willing participants.
I'm just so grateful to have my mother back. Even if it takes a year to see her again, we will speak every day and video chat.
But, as I said... saying goodbye to her at the airport was incredibly hard. Safe travels my mommy. And ay time be kind to us as we wait for your next visit <3