Happy Mother's Day!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

When our kid's were little, Mother's Day was my favorite holiday.  I got to sleep in on both Saturday and Sunday on Mother's Day weekend (see how I extended the one day to two) and when you had early bird kids, that was the only gift I wanted. It didn't stop there, though, because when I did get up, I was spoiled the rest of the day. We did have one year when around 5 p.m. my husband declared he was done and the day was over. I guess the pressure got to him.  I told him it was good to know that a person could declare a day over on a whim and I would keep that in mind for future reference.

Most of you know, my mom has a very good sense of humor. I really think this is one of my favorite traits about her. She will be 86 this month and talking to her on the phone is always a unique experience because you never know what she is going to say.  This month we have had several talks about portion control.  Apparently, the whole world has singled her out as the person to give the smallest portion to when serving up any type of food.  The Amish are now on her list, because of a recent "mystery ride" trip she went on to an Amish house where the dessert was apple pie.  She started the story by telling me she was so full from her lunch and watched in horror as the Amish started cutting enormous slices of pie and she had no idea how she would ever eat such a big piece...but then ended the story with, "wouldn't you know it, I got the smallest slice of anyone."

My dad was a traveling salesman and left the house on Monday and came home on Thursday or Friday each week, which meant my mom did everything for my sisters and me. You don't really understand what that means until you grow up and have kids of your own. She took in ironing to make extra money and I can remember her with a 7-up bottle with a sprinkler cap, wetting the clothes down to iron. She babysat, too.  My mom bakes great cookies and her pecan/cinnamon rolls are to die for.  I talk to her almost every day on the phone, and she is my greatest audience. She wasn't perfect, but she did her best and that is all we can hope for in a mom. If you have a story you would like to share about your mom, I would love to hear one. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the moms in the world.

[Margaret & Pebbles]

Your never too old to have mom take care of you.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Becka, Sometimes, it really is nice to be taken care of by our moms. You never outgrow that feeling. I hope you recover quickly!!

[Becka]

Thanks, Laurie! What's funny is that when I resist the pampering it's only because I'm independent--like she raised me to be!

[F, Calla & Luca]

It sure sounds like your mom was a wonderful person.

[Margaret & Pebbles]

I could just see you climbing the steps, then turning back around!!  Funny, my mom would have done the same thing!!

[Anna and Achilles]

Wow!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Andrea, What a wonderful mother you had. I loved this story. I cannot imagine ten children and raising them all alone. She must have been amazing. You are very lucky!!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I can't tell you how grateful I am for my mom.  As a child growing up she and my dad gave me the most loving and safe childhood...We didn't have a lot, but what we lacked in "stuff" we were blessed with in love....

Sure we had our family drama and who hasen't...but I always knew that no matter what,  she was there to support me and love me unconditionally....

She is kind and loving to everyone she meets, she is selfless, honest and strong!!!!

I always tell her, "if God let me pick my mom, it would be her"........

I am so lucky to still have my mom..of course I did tell her that she was not allowed to go anywhere after losing my dad 18 years ago hehe

Seriously though...to everyone who is missing their mom today, I hope you find a way to remember her and know that she is looking down at you and wrapping her arms around you to give you comfort and peace on this special...

 

Happy Mother's Day !!!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

And Happy Mother's Day to you too.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Elizabeth, It is nice that you let your mother know how special she is to you!! I hope you have a wonderful day, too.

[Camilla and Darwin]

My mom is the best. I know everyone says that but seriously, she is the best mom ever. Some of the strongest memories I have of my mom are very emotional and difficult, but I will never forget them. When I was 5 and in the hospital going through chemotherapy she was  always there to comfort me, help me through what was happening to me, and make sure I still got to have fun. I remember her coming up with little jokes and pranks we could do on the nurses, allowing me to draw and put playdough on my bald head, and helping me with all sorts of art projects. Those fun times got me through. I also remember her being up front and honest with me about what was happening, but assuring me that everything would be okay, however it turned out. I remember her comforting me when my best friend in the hospital died, he was seven. I was so scared, and until that point I don't think I thought I could actually die from the cancer. She helped me through that, something that I feel was incredibly hard and daunting for her.

One specific memory I remember, we had gone down to the hospital playroom and we got our faces painted. I told her I wanted a flower and she chose a rainbow. Because of the tumor in my sinus cavity, I was blind, and I couldn't see the finished result on her or me. I remember her explaining in detail the pretty flower on my face, and explaining each color of the rainbow on hers. She didn't act like she was sorry for me, she just helped me to see it in my mind, as she did for every card and toy I got during that time. I never felt like I was missing out.  After I recovered from cancer she continued to be a support system and mentor to other parents who had kids diagnosed with cancer. She's made many lifelong friends through this. 

As I grew up she continued to be a support system, push me to do my best, and always, had fun with all of us. She is such an energetic person and famous in my neighborhood for being the mom who rides 4-wheelers and knows how to do a backflip. She gave me advice and council when I started dating my first boyfriend (now DH), helped me choose which college to go to, accepted DH as her son completely when we got married. She goes all out for every holiday and birthday, because she believes strongly that life should be fun. She doesn't believe that a bunch of teenagers are too old for green milk and a gold hunt on St. Patrick's day. And she's right. :-)

She is so good at balancing being a friend and a mom, and I love her for it. It's so hard to know how to adequately thank someone who has done everything for you. All I can do is give her a hug, some gift that in no way makes up for a lifetime of service, and say thanks. :-)

[Margaret & Pebbles]

Oh my gosh Camilla, now I'm really in tears.  God Bless You and your mother.