MY MOM

Since it's Mother's Day, what better thing to write about, than my wonderful mother.  There are people out there that love their mom, don't know their mom, hate their mom, don't have a relationship at all with their mom, and so on.  I have at least one friend or client in each of these categories (a little heavier on the negative mom relationship in the client area, mind you).

I've been blessed with a fantastic mother.  I hope to paint a picture of her greatness in this post, but I know ultimately, that is really impossible.  There are no words that could ever describe her beauty and greatness, inside and out.  But I sure will try.

First, and most importantly of all, my mom is a Godly woman.  She instilled in me, the importance of  having a relationship with Christ personally, and bringing up children in a Christian home.  Mom is not the type of person to ever be "in your face" about her beliefs.  Although I know she can quote and find scripture to witness if needed, she is instead the more quiet type to show her faith through actions and example. She treats everyone she interacts with, with kindness and respect, and general care and concern; stranger or not. My mom devotes time everyday to spending time in the word and in prayer, and this is a big inspiration to me.

Next, mom is a woman of action.  She amazes me that at 63 years of age, she could run circles around most 20-somethings.  Not literally running, but in DOING! Such as mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, cooking something; any task, you name it; She will get it done faster, and better than anyone.  She rarely sits still.  She gets up most days at 3:30 in the AM!  On days she goes to work as the office manager of the supermarket in town, she is there at 5 am.  Even with a 7 month old I'm not up that early! Many of us would come home and relax after a 9 hour day, but not my mom.  She will get home and work in the yard making sure it looks pristine, clean up the house, make dinner...something that needs to get done.

Besides working part time, she also watches my son 2 days a week.  On the days that she comes to my house to watch him, mom manages to do all my laundry and clean my entire house-and take care of my son!! On days when she watches him at her house, she has dinner ready for me to take back to my house for my husband and myself to enjoy.  I don't know where she gets the energy, but I sure do appreciate all that she does with it!

Mom is a woman who values her family.  She has always sacrificed so that her kids and grandkids could have whatever they needed or wanted.  She does so selflessly, and because she truly wants us to be happy and taken care of.  I think family is probably the most important aspect of mom's life, and it shows.  She was always at any of my sporting events, recitals, performances, etc growing up, and she continues to get to all of her grandkids events.  She loves being a part of her family's lives. She loves to socialize and spend real quality time together.

This is only the beginning of some of the wonderful qualities my mom possess.  Here are some other loves/favorites/facts that make my mom wonderful and unique.  My mom is an immaculate housekeeper.  You could probably eat off her floor or toilet seats it's so clean!   My mom loooves coffee.  Bold, dark roast, black.  She really likes it from Panera, but it has to be from certain Panera's in town, as it doesn't taste as good at some of the locations as it does others.  Mom looves dark chocolate.  She prefers Russel Stover's dark chocolate buttercreams, but cupcakes, cake, etc will sometimes due.  She also loves Italian Creme cake.  Who am I kidding, she loves sweets in general.  I definitely get this from her!  Mom loves and has a well manicured lawn (she hates weeds), with lots of beautiful flowers.  Mom has quite the collection of Precious Moments.  Mom was valedictorian of her high school class.  She was a cheerleader and majorette in high school.  She graduated from cosmetology school and hated it, so she decided not to pursue a career being a beautician.  Mom loves Chanel and Eternity perfume.  I wish I knew how good those must smell.  Although mom does have lots of recipes in the drawer at home, I think she rarely uses them.  I ask her how to make something and she can tell me everything that's in something, but has no idea of the exact measurement.  Regardless, she's an amazing cook.  I think her iced sugar cookies she makes at Christmastime are my favorite.   Mom is a great teacher.  She has taught Sunday School at church for as long as I can remember.  Mom can't sing.  This is an ongoing joke in our family, especially if we are in church together.  I guess making a joyful noise is the point!  Mom's favorite colors are purple and green.  At least they were when I was growing up.  I made sure to put those colors in every card I made or picture I drew.  Some of my very favorite memories of being a child are mom and I sitting in a lawn chair, gazing up at the moon and singing "I see the moon."  (this was before I realized she was tone deaf).  Mom is a great story teller.  When I was young we would sit by the fire and she would read or tell me stories.  I think my favorite was the Little Red Hen.   My mom has a clap that I could pick out of a line- up of 50 people with my back turned, if they were all clapping at once.  It is loud and distinctive.  She attributes this to being the loudest cheerleader on the squad.

I could go on and on.  She really is a wonderful woman, and I have been so blessed to have her as my mother, and as a great example of what being a mom is all about.  Thank you for all you do for me and my family mom.  I love and appreciate you so much!