Join our blog hop Archives - Author K. Williams

♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦

#23• Topic: Mother/Daughter Relationships

I am blessed. My situation is probably more unique than it should be. I love my mom. She’s a great woman, who supported me and my only brother first. Family is everything to her, and through her I learned the importance of that idea. Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have such a great relationship with their mother. I know many who revile Mother’s Day. I know others who’s idea of mother is wrapped in the pain of loss. So, I understand completely how blessed I am.

I inherited her looks and the sound of her voice. I’m only slightly taller. I have her talent for cooking and being an animal whisperer—the wild birds have yet to accept me. Above all, I developed my empathy and emotional intelligence because of her. When I think of nurturing, I think of my mother. I pray I’ll be something like her, as close as possible, please, when I raise a child.

We still look forward to doing things together. I call her weekly for updates. She’s more busy now than ever, so making time can be problematic. I’m so proud of her, getting out there, after years of making raising her family and working a priority. Right now memories of sipping hot-cocoa while watching Rankin Bass’s Rudolph spill through my mind—blue twilight of the living room, the hall light on, wrapped in a blanket; the Christmas tree warmly glows, and the gentle tick-tick of a Santa’s workshop animated ornament fills the backdrop.

Just a couple weeks ago, we went apple picking, a tradition that even as an adult, I make sure we keep up. Family is important. I can’t see taking friends to do this. I haven’t settled down yet, that I can take my own family. I see me having a child on my own, and even then, it will be me, mom and dad and the new addition. To me, that’s perfect. As perfect as snuggling up on the couch and watching Christmas specials in the dark.

My memories are so full–sweet little valentines, Easter baskets, and our favorite Halloween traditions of decorating, costumes and trick-or-treats. In fact, our conversation included an excited sharing of my newest decorations found at Target. Oh, they’re so cool.

Mother/Daughter Relationships - Open Book Blog Hop

Mom is the one on the far left, then my great aunt Lillian, grandmother Rose and my great aunt Isabelle.

Back when I was a preteen, we started to have some tension. You see, I was growing up, and mom wasn’t handling that very well. I still can’t tell you what she feared, but she was afraid of something. The tension revealed itself in school shopping for new outfits, disagreements in everyday conversations and lots of silent treatment. We still don’t agree on the facts. The truth is, they don’t matter. I found my autonomy by getting a job as soon as I could and paying for the things I wanted, such as school clothes and music. The delicate balance of conversation was achieved once more. She was, before this, the person I could always talk to and she became that once more. To this day, I can tell mom anything and be candid. Her support doesn’t falter, but she’s also honest when she thinks I might be screwing up.

Mom is my rock. I’m blessed. A member of a small group of women who raise each other up instead of breaking each other down. An even smaller group lucky enough to have a bond. A group yet smaller, who’s traditions haven’t been interrupted by death.

Let’s go over and check out what the other authors have had to say about mother daughter relationships (see below), but, before you go, check out PJ Fiala, who is a romance author originally from Missouri. She moved to Wisconsin with her family when she was 13 years old, city kids learning to farm. The farm started out with 28 rescue cows (they were adopted from the Humane Society who took them from abusive circumstances). With all the hard work and the deep winters, Wisconsin was a hard sell until PJ met her husband. They have four children and three grand children. The pair enjoy riding their motorcycles, on which they meet new places and visit places new and old.

PJ comes from a long line of veterans: “My grandfather, father, brother, two of my sons, and one daughter-in-law are all veterans. Needless to say, I am proud to be an American and proud of the service my amazing family has given.”

Check out her books here.