I’ve known my mom for fifteen years, I always viewed her as the role she plays in my life. But when I sat down to interview her I looked at my mom not just as a parent, but as a woman who had a whole lifetime of adventures and challenges before I even entered the picture. This interview took over 30 minutes in my mom’s bedroom with a bunch of “I think I messed up on that question.”
To kick things off, I wanted her to look back at the very beginning of her journey.
Kendal: “I want you to imagine your 18 year-old self again. If you could give that version of yourself advice, what would it be?”
Mom: “I would tell her not to sweat the small things in life. You only have one life to live, just enjoy it while you can.”
Kendal: “What was your hometown like growing up?”
Mom: “I was actually born in Baltimore, Maryland but when I was two, we moved up to Manchester in Pennsylvania, a good town with a small population. After meeting my husband, I moved up to where his family lives in Spring Grove.”
We moved on to questions talking about her life after graduation and accomplishments.
Kendal: “What accomplishment are you most proud of?”
Mom: She smiled. “Thats an easy one.” I raised three children who are a friend everyone needs in their life, all around amazing kids. I would also say my marriage, after being together since we were 17. We have been together for over 20 years.”
Kendal: “What was the hardest part about becoming a mother?”
Mom: “I would say depending on me to take care of an actual human being.”
Kendal: “Who has been the biggest influence on your life after graduation?”
Mom: “My husband, he’s just amazing. The hardest working person I know and is dedicated to our family. He influences me to be a better person.”
In closure, we talked about the effect the people she loves most had on her in life.
Kendal: “Who made you feel the most “seen” or supported growing up?”
Mom: “My grandma, or as I called her Nan. She was like a second mother to me, she practically raised me. Nan was always there for me no matter what. She was that person that stuck out over everybody else.”
The role models my mom had in her life shaped her into the person she is today. A mother that is there for her kids no matter what. She sticks out over everyone else.
