... With My Mama

Mothers are the necessity of invention.  Bill Watterson

My mom and I have always had an interesting relationship.  I wasn't easy growing up.  Independent, self reliant, yes.  But never easy.  I was intense, and broody, and passionate about everything.  And I'm quite sure, exhausting for her to try to keep up with.  Our relationship isn't without complicated history, but requires effort and patience from both of us, always.  She is however, someone I rely on more as I get older, decidedly
so over the past 4 months, as she's become one of my primary supporters.  I don't know what I'd do without her.  Which is why I was tickled when she decided to join me in Portugal.

Lisboa

Mom is a woman of many roles, and many talents.  She has devoted her professional life to working with students with special needs, both learning and behavioral.  She relishes her role as grandmother, and has a bustling social life.  She's incredibly active, defying stereotypes often ascribed to women of a certain age.  She's a friend to many, a yoga student to few, and an identical twin.  She's also now officially a world traveler.

Palais de Pena, Sintra

Mom arrived in Lisbon the morning after I'd arrived from Porto.  She was jet lagged, and excited, and  practically spinning in circles when I overheard her in the lobby of our hotel.  It was a sweet reunion, as I crashed into her from the adjacent cafeteria, giving that sluggish crowd a bit of an early morning spectacle.  I knew what it cost for her to be there, both financially and otherwise.  To take the time away, to have to figure out international travel alone, to treat me to proper hotels and three meals a day (!!!!!), no small thing.  I didn't take her generosity, or courage, for granted.

Street Art, Cascais

As my mom is my mom, our time together was full of escapades.  We spent our first few days tackling all Lisbon had to offer, which for us meant a lot of fresh fish and Portuguese wine.  We then headed further up the coast, where we hiked old Moorish castles, explored pristine palaces, and of course, ate more fish and drank more wine.  We laughed our asses off, and talked about life, and bickered the way only we can.

Our goodbye came all too quickly, as goodbyes are wont to do.  It was awkward and a little hurried as we hustled in opposite directions at the airport, her home to the west, me northbound to Switzerland.  With a little sadness and a lot of pride I watched her walk away to find her way home from this international stage.  I had every confidence she'd figure it out, the way I have every confidence she'll do it again.  Like mother, like daughter, as they say.  I sure hope so.