Momma Bear

11/12/2012 I know you would be here if Heaven weren’t so far! But we wanted to wish you Happy Birthday any way! Happy 55th Birthday Grandma! Love Zoë

I put together a list of 55 words to describe my mom (with some help from Auntie Ashie).

1. Smart
2. Gentle
3. Tough
4. Giving
5. Diligent
6. Structured
7. Serious
8. Principal
9. Mom
10. Wife
11. Daughter
12. Sister
13. Friend
14. Loving
15. Effortless
16. Her laugh
17. Tan
18. Nails
19. Her smile
20. Short
21. OCD
22. Directionally Challenged
23. Loud
24. Impact
25. Tremendous
26. Resilient
27. Fighter
28. Strong
29. Leader
30. Realistic
31. Faithful
32. Loyal
33. Feminist
34. Bossy
35. Independent
36. Feisty
37. Capable
38. Pushy
39. Chinese
40. Sassy
41. Intimidating
42. Thoughtful
43. Shopaholic
44. Diamonds
45. Giddy
46. Dependable
47. Honest
48. Stubborn
49. Responsible
50. Protective
51. Demanding
52. Strict
53. Brave
54. Assertive
55. Grandma

It’s my desire to share stories that exemplify these qualities. I sometimes feel like I am forgetting about her. I think the pregnancy caused a lot of fogginess in my brain. But I am slowly regaining my recall and as I experience motherhood I can’t help, but think back on the memories I have of growing up and how we were raised by my mom and dad. My other hope is to share these stories in an effort to allow Zoë to get to know her grandma.

One thing that I have been thinking about as we explore our new city is how I would react in a dangerous situation, especially with Zoë. I wonder about my mother bear instincts, the fierce reaction to protect my child at any cost. I will never forget the time when my mom took us on a hike in the Santa Rosa Plateau. Now I had been there before with my class, but never with a small group. I couldn’t have been more than 10 years old and I am almost certain it was late spring/early summer. Of course it was a beautiful warm day in Southern California. We headed up the hill with my mom’s friend Myrna and her two daughters, Kimberly and Ariana. We were hiking along the trail never deviating. Momma Terry is a strict rule follower. We were all following in line as we trekked through the plateau. I was enjoying the scenery (I may have been complaining about the heat) when all of a sudden we heard a noise. At first I thought it was a bee, but as we kept walking it got louder. Until someone noticed what the noise was… a rattle snake! Now Myrna has a lot of experience with rattle snakes, but my mom was kind of jumpy when it came to snakes and other various reptilian species. Both moms went into mother bear mode! Myrna calmly led the other girls down the trail past the rattler. Once it came to my turn I saw the thing, opened my mouth and screamed at the top of my lungs! My mom bravely (I know she didn’t want to pass it either) put her hand over my mouth and pushed me past the snake very quickly! (Myrna my memory doesn’t always serve me correct please correct me if I am wrong.) Needless to say we made it safely to the end of the trail without anyone getting bitten by a snake.

I will also never forget the time we were shopping at Mervyn’s in Temecula. That should pretty much date me. I believe we were using the restrooms which are located in the back. As we were exiting the bathroom a man with a gun entered the store attempting to rob Mervyn’s. My moms momma bear instincts kicked into full force. She grabbed my sister and me pushing us quickly into the the break room. There was glass on the door so you could see in so my mom moved us into the corner out of sight. She reacted so quickly I had no idea what was going on. All I could think was she was hurting me because she had grabbed me so tightly! Thankfully we were able to wait in the break room without anyone being harmed. I believe we waited there until police arrived on scene. I always remember how safe I felt in my mother’s arms. I was surprised and reassured by the way my mom reacted out of genuine love. I am beginning to grasp these concepts as new parent and I realize what unconditional love is and I delight in that.

Dear Zoë,
I haven’t really had to exercise my mother bear instinct, but I know there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you! I promise I will hold you tight in my arms so you feel safe. I promise I will shield you from harm. I promise I will over come my fears to help you overcome yours. I promise that my love for you is unconditional. Just like your grandma I will protect you for as long as I live. Promise!

Love,

YOUR momma