The Lioness behind the Hummingbird
During her visits to Vancouver, my Mom gets often called “Mama Raul” or “Mama Hummingbird”. I even mockingly created her Twitter account @mommingbird604 (which she’s seen but never actually used). The reality is I often have a hard time explaining our spirit animals to people and how we see each other. I often say that behind the Hummingbird there’s an amazing Lioness. Here is the story of why.
For those of you who believe in astrology, I’m a Virgo, and my Mom is a Leo. According to the horoscopes, technically Leo’s aren’t supposed to get along with Virgo’s. Strangely enough, my Mom is a Leo and my Dad is a Virgo. And they were married for more than 30 years (they’re no longer married but remain in incredibly amicable terms).
My Mom’s demeanor can be demure and sweet, but her inner personality is, really, that of a lioness. My Mom will not hesitate to maul and destroy anyone who attempts to hurt her children. Mom is incredibly polite and diplomatic but she’ll swiftly disarm anyone with her ability to pinpoint the weakness in people’s arguments. And my Mom is intimidating. Strangely enough, many of my friends and loved ones are intimidated by my Mom. I’m not surprised at all. She’s a Leo, after all.
So how did a woman with such inner strength and larger-than-life personality end up having a “hummingbird-like” son, who often shows himself vulnerable, sensitive and maybe even fragile? That’s anybody’s guesses. But I think I draw much of my inner strength from The Lioness. I’m energetic, fast, nimble like a hummingbird but I’m also emotionally very strong, much like a lion.
So that’s why I told my good friend Richard Loat (aka @Mozy19) that my Mom really didn’t identify herself with being called “Mama Hummingbird”, and I introduced him to the Lioness behind the Hummingbird. And it’s true. Just as they say in Spanish that behind every great man there’s a great woman, I’m as successful as I am because I have someone who loves me profoundly and who always has my back: My Mom.
Related posts:
- April White’s “Hummingbird I” (Powell River, Sunshine Coast) #scac2011
- A Parisian hummingbird
- The hummingbird as my symbol
- When being a hummingbird is not so great
- Saying goodbye is hard to do …
LOVE!!! Well put! Love your mom.
I hope my son talks about me with so much respect and understanding and love when he grows up. Hear mama roar!
Your entire chart would explain why your mom gets along with Virgos… but she’s your mom. She loves you. You don’t need astrology for that
Wow, what lovely things you say about your mother. Your article touched me with its warmth.
Every time you post about your mom….I love it. Love Love Love. As a mom myself, I hope that I inspire the same confidence, courage, loyalty and zest for life to my own children as well.
In the chinese horoscope, I am a Rat, and my daughter is a Horse. Supposedly we do not get along AT ALL but I find we are the complete opposite. Mind you, she’s only 9 right now. Haha. Horoscopes are quite interesting. I’m a Taurus, my daughter is a Pisces, and my son is a Virgo too. Interesting mix.