wind beneath my wings

 

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way,
you always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name -- for so long,
a beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it,
I would be nothing with out you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly away,
you let me fly so high.
Oh, fly, fly, so high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you, thank God for you,
the wind beneath my wings.

Unlike most mothers and daughters, my mom and I have a song -- "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler. I can't recall exactly when it became our song, but it seems as if it has always been ours. For as long as I can remember, we've called each other up when we've heard the song playing, indulging in a sentimental moment of mother-daughter love. For the first time in a long time, I read the words and listened to the song on my computer, the tune and lyrics instantly making me think of the strong, smart, beautiful woman who is my mom. It's been awhile since I've really thought about the words and it's probably been even longer since I realized how perfectly fitting they are.

No matter what I've done in life (and, trust me, I've tried quite a few things!), my mother has supported me. She's encouraged me and lifted me up, truly being the wind beneath my wings. When I am soaring high, she pushes me higher with her praise and support. When I'm feeling like dropping right back to the ground, she nudges me up, her kind words and inspiring insights showing me that I can do it, I can get through whatever it is I am battling. I have been through some pretty tough times, especially over the past year, and my mother has been there for me, without question, without judgment.

I have to admit that I've been far from the perfect child. I've caused trouble within the family. I've caused trouble at school. I've made mistakes as an adult that, for some, might be impossible to see past. I've done and said things that, looking back, must have hurt my mother terribly. She always forgives me. She always tries her best to understand, to share her wisdom, to help me grow. She, like the wind, guides me in a better direction. Sometimes, like I've seen some birds do on a really windy day, I resist. Sometimes I don't want to listen or I don't want to see that perhaps she is right, perhaps she knows more about the world than I do. I will tell you this now: she is always right. If I had listened her advice every time she handed it to me calmly, patiently, I could have avoided some serious disasters.

But, alas, that is life. If we all listened to our mothers, the world would be a much, much different place! Lucky for me I had the kind of mother who wouldn't shove "I told you so's" in my face after I'd ignored her advice and made (yet another) mistake. I have the kind of mother who listens to the story, probably wants to say "I told you so" but doesn't, and then does what she can to support me in whatever I must do. She is the wind, always there -- maybe not as strong at times when I have more strength, maybe stronger when I need more of a push, but she is always, always there.

Not only is my mother always there for me (and the rest of my family...and her friends...and their friends...and random strangers...), but she is also the most positive person I know. I have never in my whole life come across anyone who is more positive, upbeat, and energetic than my mother. I seriously cannot keep up with her sometimes. When I was in high school and she used to wake me every morning with a cheerful smile and a chipper, "Time to get up!" (and sometimes, if I was lucky, breakfast in bed!) I would groan at the sounds of her happiness. Little Eeyore did not understand how she was related to this bouncy, happy Tigger. For most of my childhood, I simply couldn't understand why she was always so happy. I used to wonder "What in the world is there to be so cheerful about?" as I sulked grumpily in the front seat of the car beside her as she made up the lyrics to a song she didn't know. I was usually unhappy and, honestly, I can probably count the times on one hand that I've seen my mother unhappy. For the longest time, I just didn't get it.

Though I hid behind a veil of not comprehending, I secretly envied my mother's happiness. I wanted to be the kind of person who could take any situation -- no matter how horrible it seemed -- and find the good in it. That's how my mother is. She looks for the good and, no surprise!, she finds it. She's the kind of person people are drawn to and I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with her positive attitude. Lately I've been trying to be more like her. I've been observing how she handles unpleasant situations and makes the best of them. I've noticed how she pretty much always wakes up happy. Deep down I think I will always have a little bit of sadness and irritation in me, but, more and more, I'm learning to be like my mom, and great things are coming from it (like this blog!).

Sure, many people say this, but for me it is so completely true: my mother truly is the most amazing woman I know. Though I'm saying this now, when everyone else says it, on Mother's Day, I mean it each and every day of the year. My mother is amazing. Almost everyone I know (her friends included!) wants her as a mother. My sister and I are incredibly lucky to have been raised by such a kind, loving, inspiring, fun woman. I hear stories about other women and their relationships with their mothers and I cringe. Some of the relationships are filled with such jealousy, such animosity, such chaos that I have trouble even truly understanding what that would be like. I have a lot of great things to say about my mother, but I won't deny it -- mother-daughter relationships are tough. If you're not in one, you've probably witnessed one at some time or another. They are not always easy. My relationship with my mother isn't perfect, but, man, I'm I lucky that I got this one! She is a catch!

The other day I read this quote by Dorthy C. Fisher: "A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary." To me, that is what my mother does. She doesn't let me use her as a crutch. Instead, she guides me along, just like the wind, making me stronger and better. I cannot imagine who I would be without her strength to inspire me. Mom, I hope you know how much I love you. You make me stronger. You inspire me. You make me fly higher. You truly are the wind beneath my wings. I say this all the time, jotted down quickly in a card or inserted at the end of an email, but truly, absolutely, always...I love you to the sky and back.

Comments

[Anita]

This is a beautiful tribute to your mom. I too am blessed with a great mom. We've always been very close and I consider her to be my best friend. I feel so blessed to have her in my life.

[positively present]

Anita - Thank you! I'm glad you liked it and I'm so glad you have a great mom as well. Not everyone is so lucky. Have a great mother's day!

[Account Deleted]

Treasure your mother; some of us lose her way too soon.

[Lucky Balaraman]

Your detailed post is a wonderful expression of the love you hold for your mom. God bless her and Happy Mothers Day to a shining person!

[Karen]

My mother is my hero, too. Some people, like us, were born to the best possible people.

"The Rose" is the song my daughters and I used to sing along with. Bette Midler has recorded some amazing material!

I loved this post, by the way. Up with good moms!

[Hilary]

Hi Dani .. what a lovely tribute to your mother - she makes me feel wonderful over here .. how brilliant to have that cheerful disposition, positive outlook, and be sensible enough not to criticise ..

your journey now is a wonderful drawing back of the curtains .. seeing her attributes appear in you .. long may it last

This blogging world is great - but mothers are better!! Enjoy your exploration and journey .. with the wind beneath my wings = lovely lyrics too ..

Have a great Mother's Day in the US of A ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

[positively present]

Raphael - That is a great reminder. You are right. I should always treasure my mother. I am so lucky to have her. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose her and I should always, always be grateful for her.

Lucky - Thank you for your comment! I could have written forever about what a wonderful, amazing person she is, but I decided to keep it (sort of) brief. Haha.

Karen - I'm so glad you have such a wonderful mother too. "The Rose" is such a great song too. Bette Midler really did (does?) some good ones! Have a great Mother's Day!

Hilary - If you met my mother, you'd feel even more wonderful. She is such a great, happy, inspiring person and those lyrics are so fitting for how she has supported me, and continues to support me, through everything. You're right -- blogs are great, but mother's are definitely better! :)

[Srinivas Rao]

When you realize what mothers do for the world, having kids, nurturing them, raising them, there's no doubt they do something amazing.

[positively present]

Srinivas - There's no doubt about it -- mothers are amazing! :)

[ann elise]

How neat that you and your mother have "a song" together! That was my mom & dad's song.

This is such a gentle, beautiful post. It sounds like you are a lucky woman - and your mother is, too!

[Alice]

《YOU RAISE ME UP》This song is particularly suited to the mother
Bless you and your mother always happy

[Jocelyn at I TAKE OFF THE MASK]

The song you chose is very fitting to the way you felt about your mother. You are very blessed to have her, and I believe she is blessed as well for having you. :-)

[positively present]

Ann Elise - How wonderful that the song is your mother and father's! It's such a great song. :) I am definitely a very lucky woman. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Alice - That's a great song too and has a similar theme to it. Thanks so much for the comment!

Jocelyn - I didn't realize it until I really started thinking about it, but the song really does fit our relationship well. I'm definitely lucky to have a mother like her! :)

[Penny]

Such a lovely tribute to your mum!

[positively present]

Penny - Thanks! :) It's the least I could to repay her for all of the many, many things she's done and continues to do for me.