I cried when my mom told me this - Difficult to imagine what she went through
A Journey of Connection: My Mom Meets Matteo’s Parents
This past week marked a monumental moment in my life—my family gathered in Italy to celebrate my wedding, and my mom finally met Matteo’s parents. The week was filled with joy, laughter, tears, and incredible Italian food.
Before this, I had the chance to take my mom on a solo trip to Amsterdam, a trip that carried more meaning than I could have imagined.
The Luggage That Carried More Than Just Belongings
My mom’s suitcase was massive—overweight and a hassle to carry up four flights of stairs to our Airbnb. But it wasn’t just filled with clothes and gifts. It was packed with pieces of her past, including:
Gifts for Matteo’s parents.
Her carefully chosen wedding outfits.
Old photo albums with pictures of my dad to display at the wedding.
As we unpacked, I found faded photos of me as a child, along with a few treasured images of my father, who passed away when I was three. Among those photos, one thing stood out:
❤ My mom’s big smile—perhaps the happiest I’ve ever seen her.
Learning About My Mom’s Past
Our conversations during this trip gave me insight into my mom’s life before I was born:
Her childhood home: A small two-bedroom space shared with five siblings, parents, and cousins, with no bathroom, running water, or phone.
Her determination: Growing up in poverty, she vowed that her future child would never experience the same struggles.
Her resilience: She spoke of my father, the joy he brought, and the ways he changed her life and helped her family.
These stories gave me a deeper understanding of her choices and behaviors.
The Gifts She Carried: A Lesson in Compassion
When my mom began unpacking gifts for Matteo’s parents—discounted clothing, ceramics, and tea—I felt embarrassed. My initial reaction was to judge her choices, especially when compared to Matteo’s well-off parents, whose closets are filled with designer labels.
But then I remembered:
The drawing she made of her childhood home.
Her determination to rise above poverty.
Her love expressed through these thoughtful, albeit unconventional, gifts.
In that moment, I chose compassion over judgment.
The Stories Behind the Baggage We Carry
This experience reminded me that the “baggage” we carry—both literal and emotional—is often shaped by our past.
What we carry connects us: It holds stories of resilience, love, and survival.
What we carry separates us: Misunderstandings and judgments can create divides.
By becoming curious about the stories behind the baggage, we can foster greater compassion and understanding.
Reflecting on Our Shared Journeys
As I write this, my mom’s once-heavy suitcase is much lighter. She’s unpacked her gifts, and with them, her love and appreciation.
💕 This trip has taught me to honor the ways people show their love, even when it looks different from my own.
Questions for Reflection
Take a moment to reflect:
In what ways do the “baggage” people around you carry connect and separate you?
How can you use curiosity to understand the stories behind that baggage?
What steps can you take to foster more compassion and understanding in your relationships?
A Moment of Gratitude and Healing
Although my mom and I come from vastly different upbringings, this journey has brought us closer. Through healing, understanding, and shared experiences, I’ve come to see her with new eyes, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Now, it’s time to try on my wedding dress with her. 💕
With love and encouragement for your journey,
Gloria