My Mother's Love

My Mamma came to visit me in New York City recently - and it happened to be in the same week as my birthday.  It was so incredibly special to have her here! We have such special photos of our time together and I've been dying to share them.  But first a few words... Before my Mom came I used to get anxious when I came to think of the possibility of me moving out of New York without having the opportunity to share my everyday life here with my family.  So getting my Mom here for me was a huge deal (and accomplishment), especially in terms of the stamp of approval saying "well done Liefie, you are doing great!".  What my parents think of me has always been a huge deal for me.

So she came, I took time off from work and we just had so much fun! We went for runs in Central Park and she even did a 5km race through the streets of Manhattan with me as part of New York Marathon weekend.  I mean, she told me that I was not allowed to walk when I wanted to take a 100m breather from running.  What a woman! We went to all my favorite restaurants (Eataly once, twice, three times!!!), The Modern at the MoMa Museum for my birthday, Betony (rated as one of America's best new restaurants), Public for brunch, Buvette for brunch with loveliest Kiki and Hannes and ABC Kitchen.  Not to talk about all of the Patisseries, Dean & Deluca's and Cupcake Shops that we couldn't resist.  I now know exactly where I come from and why I get such a sugar rush every afternoon at 3pm - and its not because I'm stressed or bored, but rather the fact that there is nothing I can do about it.

My birthday was just the most special day ever.  It started off with stalking Celine Dion through the windows of the NBC Today Show.  I think Celine must have known that it was my birthday and that is why she came.  Then up the Rockefeller we went to the Top of the Rock to see the amazing New York City views - and the Weather Man also had to know that it was my birthday because it was a perfect day outside.  It was incredible for me to have been able to share this with my Mom, and for me going up the Rock on my birthday played a significant part in my birthday reflections over the past year.  Man, I still can't believe I'm actually living my dream.

From the views of Manhattan  followed the perfect, most beautiful lunch at the Modern, a Michelin Star restaurant hosted in the MoMA (Modern Museum of Art).  And just when I was ready to go to bed and kiss the most perfect birthday ever goodbye, we had facials at Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Signature Spa on Fifth Avenue in stead.  Let's just say that it will be hard for me to go for a facial anywhere else again after that experience.  And then, just when I thought I couldn't eat anything more, my Mom ran into the Lindt store on Fifth Avenue and bought two of every type of Lindt that we've never seen in South Africa, and there is many.  I love her!

But on top of all of this, the most special thing remained having my Mamma here.  Someone who sang "happy birthday" to me as I woke up and someone who sat next to me and held my hand as my Dad and sisters were singing over FaceTime. And I finally had a partner to sit with me in beautiful St Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue for more than an hour to listen to the choir's evening song.  She made it so special and different - her energy was like a breath of fresh air!  Agh, I just love her.  I'm not even going to talk about when I had to say goodbye a week later - because it took me a good two days to stop crying and a good week to stop feeling like I wanted to cry every time I thought about it.

So, in order to stick to my birthday tradition, on my 27th birthday I realized how lucky I have been and how amazing living my dream has been the past few years.  I saw that in my Mom's eyes and in very "oh" and "ah" and "wow" and "Tina dis amazing!". But I have also realized what a lonely road it has been, and how many things back home I took for granted. For me I could not have dreamed of a better lesson to learn.

So after she left I tried to put my feelings into words and I found this beautiful quote:

“As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.”