Reflections on Mother’s Day

DJ the Sports Mom Blog

May 11, 2010

Beautiful Sunrise

It is 5:00am and I have been at the Columbus International Airport since 4:15am.  Needless to say, I am a morning person.  I was so happy to see that Cup O’ Joe was open for business when I arrived, there were tables and chairs waiting for me to set up my “mobile office” and the free Wi-Fi is working nicely.  Some days things just fall into place.  I am grateful to God that this is one of those days.  I am flying on Delta Airlines and I don’t have to connect in Atlanta—YEAH!  For those of you who haven’t had that pleasure, it means that I don’t have to walk two miles to get to my connecting flight.

I am on my way to Ft. Lauderdale to attend the Elite Women’s Foundation Annual Gala (www.elitewomensfoundation.org).  I joined the board earlier this year after hearing about their commitment to helping women of all ages to experience optimal physical health, emotional wellness, and personal success.

I was blessed to spend this Mother’s Day with my 89 year-old mother.   So many of my friends have lost their moms and I cherish every day that I still have with mine.  Two years ago she had a series of strokes that eventually took away her independence and now she is unable to walk or care for herself.  Up until that time, she spent her days going from one event to the next support her children, her grand, great-grand and great great grand children.

Mom was the epitome of a sports grandma.   When my oldest begin to play football, she would travel back and forth to Columbus to watch him play.   As the other grandchildren got involved in sports she went to basketball games, football games, track meets and any other events she could fit into her busy schedule.   When Jay began playing for Ohio State she started following college football and even got to know names and positions of other players.  After Jay was drafted to the Raiders, she purchased the NFL Package and spent many hours watching him play.  Whether she was watching from the stands or seeing it on television, she would wear her children’s team colors and paraphernalia with matching earrings and necklace.  At 86 years old, she was still able to walk to the top of major league stadiums.  Her favorite line was “I do this for the love of my children!”

As moms, we go to great lengths to be there for our children.  I hate missing a game or any event they are involved with.   My mom use to tell me, “enjoy it now because it goes by so quickly.”  She was right.  It is hard to believe that my baby will be 18 years old next year.  For the past 26 years I have been juggling family, church, work and personal priorities and trying to keep it all balanced.  I am still trying to find that balance but it is better than it used to be.   Each year I create a football matrix for my extended family and friends to let them know where the boys are playing and which games we will attend each week.  Because the tickets are limited, I do a first-come first-served process with my huge family but make sure that anyone who hasn’t seen the boys play gets priority on tickets each season.   I also try to make sure that a family member or close friend is there to support the boys when we cannot be there.  It is a lot of fun but doesn’t leave time for much else .

I want to take this time to salute all of the moms, godmothers and surrogate mom for all you do to support your children.   For the countless times you have taken forgotten equipment and permission slips to the school; for rushing to get sports physicals with only hours notice, for all the hours manning the concession stands, for the many hours you spend in the stands in the rain, snow and hot sun; for wearing all the goofy team paraphernalia and for attending all the parent meetings and sports banquets you are truly the wind beneath your children wings.   Take time to breathe and remember this is all for the love of your children.  Enjoy the moments!

To learn more about the Elite Women’s Foundation, click here.