Today is my mother’s birthday. I love my mom. Really – she is an amazing woman full of strength and beauty and humor and the ability to kick some major butt if needed (not mine, of course.)
I admire my mother for many, many reasons – but here are just a few that stand out.
1) She is strong. Not in a superman bending steel type of way but rather in a “I can overcome any obstacle you throw at me mentally or emotionally – so bring it on” kind of way. She taught me that no matter what happens you can always find a bright side in it…for example, she worked three jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food to eat – but somehow kept an amazing smile on her face and even managed to have fun with it (late nights at the Capitol Theatre looking for George the Ghost and bringing home signed memorabilia from the different bands that she guarded…all four foot ten inches of her.)
When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful. ~Barbara Bloom
2) She is an amazing cook. She is able to take a pinch of this and a dash of that and turn it into a meal for 20…and it tastes great! Think of her as the MacGuyver of the kitchen… “Hmmm…I have a can of tomatoes, a bunch of celery and some leftover fish….” *pots and pans banging in the kitchen…twenty minutes later….* Turkey dinner for 8 complete with pumpkin pie and home made rolls.
3) She is extremely talented. My mother can take one look at a shirt or a dress, examine it for about ten minutes…and then reproduce it in every size and color imaginable – all with her sewing machine and scissors. No pattern needed. She can also knit or crochet just about anything….like this gorgeous blessing dress and hat she made for Elizabeth (and Becky, and Alison and Jesse…)
4) Everything was an adventure. Mom taught us using real life experiences. We went camping and learned about the stars and the complexity of nature – and how to serve a four course meal dutch oven style.
Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul
5) She has a great sense of humor. She doesn’t quite find Dad and I funny (most people rarely do, and we are okay with that) but she can throw a few zingers herself. (Sorry Mom, couldn’t resist the picture…)
Above all else: go out with a sense of humor. It is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. ~Hugh Sidey
6) She taught me to hunger for knowledge. I can remember hours upon hours watching PBS specials, NOVA, history channel, travel channel, cooking shows, reading books, playing word games, playing other fun games which I only now discover as an adult were “educational” and other things. It is because of her that I love to learn and that I am always willing to try new things.
A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak. ~Michael Garrett Marino
7) She’s beautiful – absolutely gorgeous. Maybe that is shallow of me to say that I love her because she’s pretty…but she is so there.
That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful. ~Ninon de L'Enclos
8) She is always there if you need her. Whether related by blood or by association, she is always available to be your mom, your friend, your cousin, your aunt, your sister, your grandmother. She is willing to step in and provide comfort, friendship, laughter, and a dozen home made rolls…no matter what.
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving
9) She can pat her head and rub her tummy at the same time. That’s just cool.
10) She talks with her hands, and is a really good sport about it when we call her on it.
11) Because she is my Mom, and she will always love me not matter what I do – and that is pretty special.
I love you MOM! Happy Birthday!
This is my favorite song about Mothers. I think of my mom every time I hear it. (Click the arrow to play)
She by Cheri Call (http://www.chericall.com)She is not the picture on the magazine
She's the woman just behind you at the checkout stand
She may appear to be common but she mystifies
In all the ways the wisest men and children understand
'Cause she has eyes that sparkle with her love
And she has a smile that's as gentle as a dove
And no woman from a movie or an ad could ever hope to be
As beautiful as she
She is not a highly honored diplomat
Held responsible to lead the world to peace
But what she does is every bit as serious
Amidst the turmoil everywhere that will never cease
'Cause she has hands that wipe the tears away
And she has a voice that makes everything O.K.
And no woman from the papers or T.V. could ever hope to be
As indispensable as she
And it breaks my heart every time I see her wonder
If she means anything in this world that pulls her under
And she doesn't always see the way that Heaven smiles above her
That's the reason I try to always tell her that I love her
'Cause she may not be known for giving millions
To the charities and auctions on the news
But I believe she's given more than anyone
In all the times she's ever had to choose
To give up sleep to rock her children every night
And give her heart to always hold their dreams so tight
And the best that you or I could ever hope to be
Is as wonderful as she
And the best that you or I could ever hope to be
Is as wonderful as she
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