Heather R. Breaux BLOG

Mother’s Day: May 11 is a lot more than a holiday, it’s a day to honor our mothers

If you were my mother, then you’d probably still be able to recall the echoing of my bedroom door being slammed shut out of frustration or the shrieking sounds of my sister and me fighting for no other reason than “because we can.”

I’m a self-proclaimed “good girl.” Staying out of trouble and out from under those blue and red flashing lights has been an easy task from me.

But I’m still human, therefore, my mom still had to caringly hold my hand through the dreaded terrible twos and those infamous and hormonal teenage years, and through so much more.

If you were my mother, then you’d know in the pit of your stomach what it feels like to put your 3-month-old baby under anesthesia. Not because you want to, but because it’s what the doctor’s say to do.

You’d sit with the rest of the family hoping for the best, but imagining the worst.

If you were my mother, you would’ve started a scrap book of all my certificates and awards when I was in kindergarten and still have it today.

In fact, you would’ve since added to it the black and white newspaper clippings of the articles I’ve written.

If you were my mother, you would’ve smilingly and without fail attended all my plays, band concerts, award ceremonies, and my high school and college graduation.

And you’d have the pictures nicely placed to photos albums to commemorate the events.

If you were my mother, you would’ve told me “not to,” but still would’ve been there to pick up the pieces after I did.

You’d say that life is about lessons learned and that throughout life we will all make mistakes.

If you were my mother, you would’ve been there with open arms the first time some guy broke my heart.

You would’ve helped pick up the pieces and mend me.

If you were my mother you would’ve spent the days leading up to my childhood Christmases wrapping gifts, those particularly from Santa Claus, in white paper and red bows.

And you would’ve been there, sitting around the tree before daylight on Christmas morning to watch us unwrap our presents.

If you were my mother, you would’ve taught me how t o swim, brush my teeth, ride a bike and do my best at all I attempt to accomplish.

You’d tell me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.

If you were my mother, you would’ve always made sure that all my basic needs like clothing, shelter and food were always given the utmost attention.

Even throughout college you would’ve made sure that I had all that I needed even though I was living on my own.

If you were my mother, then your name would be Fayla Breaux, but I’d call you mom and this column would be dedicated to you.

To mother’s everywhere, Happy Mother’s Day. May your day be filled with the love and joy of your families, especially your sons and daughters.