The CVPA is a collective. Many involved are mothers bringing their “extra” energy to the group. As for me, I have warrior princesses of the canine and feline variety…my starter kits if you will. Most years I’m in denial about Mother’s Day, because I miss my mom, but I worked a brunch today so there was no getting around it.

After work, I took “The Griz” for a walk in our ‘hood at sunset. God bless Grizzly, but it certainly hasn’t always been bliss. She’s an absolute love with people, but after having had a few run-ins with pit bulls in Los Angeles (it sounds so cliché), she gets reactive around other dogs. She’s decided the best defense is a good offense, if another dog even looks at her the wrong way. Needless to say, walking her has had me on my a**, and in tears more than a couple of times.

After six long years, we’ve finally settled on a training method that works. Even so, I always have to be on my game, because she’s such a powerful animal. No matter the species, you want your kids to play well with others, and you hurt when they hurt, and feel disappointment when they aggress. It’s been quite the learning curve for both of us.

My parental responsibility was on my mind as a woman approached with her baby in a stroller. She said to the toddler, “that’s a dog”. The child uttered, “daw”. Mom: “yes, dog.” Child: “daw”. It was so simple, yet it was a bit of an a ha moment for me, or rather a glimpse into the bigger picture of what it means to be a mother. For one brief moment I was witnessing the linguistic development of another. I wondered whom she might grow up to be, and what she’ll have to say. In truth, all of us are mothers, in that we are all creators. We give birth to our ideas and our expression. Everything starts with a seed, whether person or project.

As we rounded Belmont Park, I was basking in the amber glow of the setting sun. It’s my favorite type of light. It makes me feel caressed and gentle. Three cardinals chased each other from tree to tree, dancing to their song…

My mother is gone, but here in Charlottesville, nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont, and teeming with life, I always have Mother Nature, and the reminder that there is no limit to what we can create.

Happy Mother’s Day, y’all.