The Reassurance You Didn’t Even Have to Ask For

One of the things I miss most about my mom is the reassurance I never had to ask for.

The older I get, and especially now that I’m a mom myself, the more I realize how often she gave it.

She knew when I was doubting myself. She knew when I was overthinking. She knew when I needed someone to remind me that I was doing okay.

Lately, I’ve found myself wondering if I’m doing enough for Charlee. Am I helping her feel secure? Am I making the right decisions? Am I doing a good job?

And every time those thoughts creep in, I think about my mom.

Not because she would have had all the answers. But she would have looked at me, looked at Charlee, and said, “You’re a great mom.” No asking required.

I miss it. Her support and reassurance was offered so freely and so often that I truly didn’t fully appreciate it until it was gone.

Even though, deep down, I know my daughter loves me, I know I’m doing ok, and I know Mom would be proud of me, the hard part is not being able to hear it from her. And hearing it frequently enough that I believe it.