Happy Mother's Day Mom

Growing up the youngest of six, I had a great advantage of "time with Mom" over my siblings. I remember our lunch dates to Arbys or Carl's Junior while my siblings were away at school. I'd tell her which of my fries represented certain members of my family (started with my longest fry as Dad, (take a bite) Mom, and so on until there was just a crumb left as me.

I remember going down for naps and her singing "All the Pretty Little Ponies" to help me fall asleep. Or when she'd play song after song from the "60 Progressive Classics" book to help us all quiet down. She was the perfect pillow to snuggle with as a child and continues the position with my nieces and nephews today.

I remember that my favorite color was pink until I heard my mom say her favorite colors were peach and green, then my favorite colors rapidly changed to peach and green. I never seemed to be able to form an opinion of my own, because I wanted to be just like my mom. While most sick children were excited to miss school and stay home, I was excited to be able to go to work with my mom. I was the best under-age office assistant ever! I had all the pencils, pens, sticky tack and push pins to match her collection. I wrote some very good meeting minutes (not really, I made up a lot of stuff and had her type it on the typewriter for me:) Her ways were my ways.

Some of my favorite memories of my mom were of the times when she'd come to school. I LOVED when she could come and volunteer in my class. I was never embarrassed to say, "That's my mom!" She came for everything. She was there for talent shows, track and field events, choir concerts, art nights, and parent-teacher conferences. I never had an opportunity to doubt that she cared about me and my successes.

Being the only child in my family to not yet have children, I at times feel sad that all the family names have been used. There aren't any left for me to pass on to my children. However, upon reflection of my childhood, I believe I was in fact the very first to name "my child" after my mom. The Christmas of my 7th or 8th year I received my favorite baby doll. She was more beautiful and special that all of my previous babies. I knew she needed a very special name and so I named her Jane Marie. I sang to her the same lullabies that were sung to me and made sure that she knew I loved her...just like my mom had done for me. Even though she was just a baby doll she was the first "official" grand-baby to be named after my mom. So, I guess I don't need to be that sad after all.

My mom has the best ability to see the good in all situations. She is extremely patient (a quality I unfortunately did not inherit, but am striving to obtain), loving and forgiving. I can not recall a time in all my years as her daughter that she felt something was more important than the happiness of her children. I think she ate more cold meals than warm ones, went without because "she was full anyway", and laid on the floor because "it's more comfortable"--than any other person I know. She wanted us to be happy. That's all she ever wanted because when we were happy, she was truly happy.

Well Mom, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to be a good mom. You have taught me so much about love and sacrifice. You have always been able to give me guidance like no one else. Your ability to dry my tears with hugs and kisses has reached far beyond the scrapes and bumps acquired in childhood. Thank you for your prayers and tears on my behalf. They have not gone unnoticed and I am blessed because of them. You are one of my very best friends and I love you so very much!

Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
Dani