Mother's Day

I know it is a couple days past Mother's Day, but I was busy with being a mom on that day.  :)  Today I want to talk about MY mom. 

My mom is hands down the most amazing woman I know.  She is everything I want to be and more.  I do aspire to be like her, though I feel that I am lacking in so many ways.  Good thing there is still time for growth! 

My mom has been there for me since before I as born.  She carried me for 9 months while I made her horribly ill.  From the moment I took my first breath she has been there to hold me, to love me, to care for me.  I know that no matter what is happening in my life that my mom will always be there for me.

My mom taught me to love.  Love is described not only as an emotion strong personal attachment and affection, but as a virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection.  That is what my mom taught me.  Not just that she has affection for me and wants me around, but to show kindness, compassion, and affection to all those around us.  I had it pointed out to me recently that I am odd in that I don't look at the color of a persons skin, at what habits they have, how they dress, or how they speak in deciding whether to be their friend.  I look at who they are on the inside first and the rest second.  I never realized that that wasn't how it was done as a rule.  It is how it should be done, but too often is not.  My mom showed kindness and compassion to all, not just those that looked like her, that talked like her, that had her same standards.  What mattered is that they were a person and as such deserved to be loved.  She went out of her way to care for others.

My mom taught me how important I am as a person.  She did this not only through love, but by always being there for me.  She attended my school programs, my parent teacher conferences, she helped me with my homework, she attended all my sports games, my marching band competitions, my colorguard competitions.  It is possible that she did miss a few of my competitions, but that is not what I remember.  What I do remember is that my mom was always there to support me, to cheer me on, to lift me up when needed.  She did not do it because she had to, but because it was important to her.  I was important to her.

My mom taught me to pray.  To have a close relationship with my Heavenly Father.  She taught me this through example.  My mom would, and still does, turn to the Lord for everything.  She has taught me to do the same.  The comfort that comes from this relationship is invaluable.  It is priceless. 

My mom taught me to love music and art.  I joke with people that my family is like the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music.  We all sing, at least a little, we all play a couple instruments, and in addition we all enjoy drawing.  Music and art run in our family, but it was greatly encouraged in the home. 

My mom taught me to cook.  I may not be a world class chef, but I can definitely cook.  I still enjoying cooking and baking with my mom.  Her lasagna is my favorite thing ever!

My mom taught me to love animals, to love reading, to love nature, to love family history work, to love my family.  My mom taught me many more things, so many that I would be writing for days to express them.  At the end of the day I am who I am because of the things my parents taught me, the things my mom taught me.  What little girl doesn't want to grow up to be like her mother?  I still want to grow up to be like my mother.  She is by no means perfect, but she is amazing.  She is MY mom.

These words describe my mom perfectly......

   I love you mom!