By JANET HART LEONARD
From the Hart
When my children were little, I was that mom, the one showing up, a hands-on and ever-so-present parent.
I was there to hug their heart when they hurt. My voice was heard as being their greatest cheerleader. I wanted my voice to reassure them that they were loved and that I believed in them.
I knew someday they would not need me, or rather, not need me as much.
How did they grow up so quickly? When did they become so independent? How do they not need to hear my voice every day? After all, I need to hear theirs.
It’s a “Mom Thing.”
Even now that they are grown and have children of their own, I feel the need to be a part of their lives.
Oh, I know I am being a bit dramatic, but ask any mom who is living in an empty nest. We miss the daily banter with our kids. (Most of it anyway.)
Moms have the need to feel needed and loved. Maybe not daily but on a quite-often basis.
That phone call. That text. It means I matter as a mom.
I don’t have to be told every time we talk that I am loved but they will hear “Love you!” from me. It’s just my need to do so.
I imagine they hear my voice more often than they realize. You know, the one that reminded them for the 17th time that it’s time to get up. The voice that told the umpire they were safe at home. How dare he call them out? The voice that told them their curfew was 11 p.m. The voice ranted they were 15 minutes late and I was worried sick, picturing them lying in a ditch somewhere or kidnapped or worse.
My voice. My mom voice. I know it echoes in their minds. I know it saturates their thoughts when they aren’t even thinking about me. It beckons them to be safe. They hear my voice, ever so gently, reminding them to listen to their gut and believe in themselves and know I will always be cheering for them.
I call it the invisible mom effect.
My voice is gentle. My voice is fierce. My voice will challenge them when needed and soften their blows when their hearts are hurting. It does not matter what age they might be.
I am that mom. I may be invisible, but they will always hear my voice … even when I am no longer here to text and remind them … “I love you.”
A mother’s voice will always be heard in a child’s heart. That voice can never be silenced.