Mom's the Word

I've realized that approximately 93.7% of my blog readers are mothers so I could not let this holiday pass without giving a big shout out to all of the maternal beings out there! I admire you!

Not only is it Mother's Day, but it is also my own mother's birthday. This time of year is always just the teensiest bit stressful because I have to come up with two gift ideas for my mom, ideas that outshine the prior years' gifts. I'm not going to lie to you....I've had some pretty outstanding ideas and it's increasingly getting harder and harder to outdo myself. This year.....I have failed.....sigh. In order to re-gain some creditability as the most creative and favorite daughter, I have decided to post a tribute to my mother. As some of you know, I have posted a Tribute to My Ma before, and although it could possibly be classified as my most creative work yet, I do not think that it does my mom justice. Therefore, I have decided to make a second attempt and hope that this Mother's Day isn't a complete letdown for the brave woman who brought me into this world.

Tear jerker alert: Mom, do not continue to read this post unless you are properly equipped with an ample supply of tissues.

For those of you who don't already know how absolutely fabulous my mother is, I just wanted to post some facts that you may or may not know about her.

1. She loves my dad. I'm not talking about the unspoken love that kids automatically assume exists between their parents, I mean she really loves him and outwardly displays that daily. When I was little I used to think it was gross that my parents would kiss in front of us kids and I just assumed that it was normal that moms and dads went out every Friday night on a date. I also never remember ever hearing my parents argue or raise their voices toward each other in front of us. The older I get the more I realize that this behavior is the exception rather than the rule. I also realize what a source of comfort it is as a child...and an adolescent...and an adult, to have the knowledge that your parents really love each other. They have taught me a lot about creating an eternal marriage and I think my mom is one of the best examples of what it means to be a wife.

2. She goes walking every morning. And has done so for the last 20+ years. She also hasn't ever missed a month of visiting teaching since she became a visiting teacher. She also woke up every morning while her children were in school to make us sack lunches. She also never missed a piano recital that my sister and I have ever been in. She also cleans the house every Monday morning and has done for as long as I can remember. These may not seem like significant accomplishments to some but to me they speak volumes about my mom's character. She is the most diligent person I know and growing up I took for granted the stability that these small actions created for me and our family. She is a model for what it means to be consistent in the areas of life that matter most.

3. She is a great cook. It runs in the family. Most of my aunt's are famous for their cooking and my mom is no exception. I have fond memories of coming home from school to freshly baked cookies or homemade bread. When I went away to college I knew that whenever I went home I would leave with enough meals to last me for a week. Even still whenever anyone goes to her house she always wants to give them something to eat and there is always something delicious available. Eating a homemade meal as a family around the dinner table is becoming a rare behavior but my mom still makes time to cook for her whole family every other week....and I still look forward to those leftovers. Her skills in the kitchen have provided her with great opportunities to serve others within and without the walls of her own home.

This list is by no means all inclusive. My mom has so many more incredible qualities that I admire. She's smart (even though she claims otherwise), funny (anyone who has ever read one of her poems can attest to that), and she's got great genes (how else would I have been born with such fabulous hair?). I know that I've never made life easy for my mom. I've probably been the most emotional of all of her children and my perfectionistic tendencies are enough to drive her batty, but she has always been a great support to me and continues to inspire me to become a better person. When I grow up on of my greatest desires is to be the kind of mom that my mom has been to me. I doubt she realizes the magnitude of love and appreciation that my siblings and I have for her but I hope that on this Mother's Day she will be able to understand what an impact she's had on those who surround her, especially her family.

Happy Mother's Day!