Ain’t No Mama Like the One I Got

In honor of Mothers Day, I want to share just a wee bit about my mom. I have mentioned her in some of my previous posts, and will continue to mention and highlight her for as long as I walk this earth. She is the OG Mama Dee, and there just ain’t no mama like the one I got.

She is a freaking ray of sunshine that brings laughter, realness and hope to any room she enters. She exudes confidence and has really pretty pink hair.

My mom is my best friend in this whole wide world. No one else comes close to comparing to her level of commitment, dedication and support she has offered to me in this life.

It wasn’t always easy, I was a terror of a daughter- I tried so hard to push my family away. I did what I wanted, when I wanted. I held on tight to the idea I was right, and no one could tell me differently. My Mom never gave up. She never pushed me out the door. She let me fail. She loved me and showed up for me and never, ever shamed me or gave up on me.

My Mom is one of those #badassmoms. She taught me to be a leader. To be unapologetically me- to not conform or give in to shitty opinions and ideas, she ALWAYS encouraged me to find my own path. At times finding my own way has been difficult, lonely and uncomfortable. My Mom has always been by my side. Even when I fuck up, she’s here, ready to lift me up and try again. Ready to hold my hand and show me how adulting is done. Ready to care for my children when I need help. Ready to listen when I finally open up. She’s always here.

My Mom taught me a lot of things. Ever since I can remember my Mom has been the biggest Cleveland Browns fan I’ve ever met. Her loyalty to the team was somewhat concerning. My whole life I knew from September- December not to ask for shit on Sundays because she was usually in a bad mood due to a Browns loss. It never, ever stopped her from looking forward to the game, getting us all dressed in Browns gear and making a bunch of good football food. And they would lose. Year after year it happened. She taught me about loyalty. We don’t give up hope just because they’re losing.

She taught me we love them for them- the bad, the unorganized, the comical, the sometimes surprisingly good. My Moms love is unconditional. I always knew her love for Cleveland football was unconditional, and as I came to realize her faithfulness stretches across the board.

My Mom is loyal AF. Like road dawgs, ride or die she is in it til the wheels fall off and roll away. She has been married to my Dad for 27 years. The shit I’ve seen them go though (put them through) are things I, myself cannot imagine experiencing as a parent. My brother and I have experienced some pretty tough events, and my Mom (and Dad) were there through it all. They always show up.

My Mom not only shows up for me- but her friends. Her love for her people is something I admire, she has so many strong women in her life that support her, that share with her and love her as much as she loves them.

When I told my Mom I was pregnant, I was single at the age of 19. I lived with my parents still, and lived a carefree lifestyle, I was not exactly ready for a baby. Her response was “I’m too young to be a grandma.” I smile when I think about the conversation, because I can picture it perfectly, although it was 8 years ago.

We were in my old room. I wish I had a picture, but I’ll briefly describe it for you. It was about 11′ x12′. There was old wood paneling that had been painted over. Each panel was a different bright color. The ceiling had tile on it, and each tile was a different color.

Walking into my old room would give anyone anxiety, it felt like walking into a circus tent. There were “plants” drawn on the walls and at one point I drew the Cleveland skyline with dollar signs raining down in the sky. It was absolutely nuts. But that’s the point. My Mom let me express myself no matter how completely ridiculous I was. She wanted me to find my own path.

Back to her being a Grandma. I lived with my parents at the time. My cat (RIP Action MF Jackson ILYSM) was my best friend. My Mom was there for me, and came to every doctor appointment I asked her to. She was there when I got the news I was having a boy- we cried tears of joy together that I was not going to have a miniature female version of myself. My parents remodeled their house so that I could be comfortable with my new baby. They ripped out that wood paneling and she gave me an adult room, and a nursery for their new grandson.

My Mom was the one standing next to me, holding my hand as I brought my baby into this world. The word Grandma was a bit harsh for her, as she was (is) still a young, hot, 40something year old. We went with Bia. As in BIA BIAAAAAA. Yes, the Lil John song. Whatever, hate on it or don’t. But my Bia rocks. She is the fucking sun in my life.

I have seen her work through her own troubles, heartaches and come out on the other side stronger, wiser and more beautiful than ever before.

A couple years ago, my Mom and I went skydiving. She gets queasy standing on the second story of a balcony, but this B jumped out of a plane at 9,000 feet. We did it together, I was super hyped and into it, she was like really scared and second guessing herself. But she did it. We did it. She’s such a badass I can’t say it enough.

When I think of strong women- I think my mom. When I think of bad bitches- I think my Mom. When I think of cool sock collections- I think of my Mom. When I think of unconditional love- I think of my Mom. When I think of orange converse- I think my mom.

She is what I aspire to be as a mother. Loyal, loving and hopeful. If I can show up for, and support my kids the way my Mom has, and continues to do for me- I have no doubt I will be one of those #badassmoms like her. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not only on the inside, but the outside too. I look just like her and people often mistake us for sisters. She is so pretty and I look JUST like her 🙂

Sometimes I hear other people talk about their Moms, and I feel so blessed that My Mom is mine. And she’s my best friend. And shes the best Bia ever. And shes cool AF. And shes probably crying reading this.

I love my Mom more than I can type in this post, but I wanted to share with the whole internet world just how much she means to me, and how grateful I am that I have the Mom of the Year.

She used to joke when she made a mistake saying, “I guess there goes my Mom of the year award.” which is funny, because she fucked up a lot. I get my potty mouth from my Mom. I get my stubbornness from my Mom. I get my perpetual lateness from my Mom. I am super sassy because of my Mom. But she also gave me some really positive things.

I get my sense of humor from my Mom. I get my IDGAF attitude from my Mom. I get my love of thrifting and style from my Mom. I got this good hair from my Mom. Most of all- I have an internal feeling of hope, from my Mom.

I have watched this woman for the last 27 years overcome everything and come out stronger, smarter and more willing to follow the paths the Universe lays out for her. She is a freakin superhero and this year I give her the highly sought after Mother of the Year Award.

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