how sweet it is to be loved by you

I just love my mom. She's one of the hippest and coolest cats I know, and after having just been on the phone with her for 49 minutes talking about this and that, and this and that some more, I felt like I had to write about her.

I wouldn't consider her an ordinary mom. She's sacrificed more than I know or will ever know for us, all without ever complaining one single bit. I've never heard her say, 'I've done this for you, now why can't you give me something in return'. Or if I have, I've forgotten about it, and we've already established that I have an awesome memory, so I don't see that as an option. Although I've given her a hard time (see my 'Stitch in Time' post), she really has done and is doing a wonderful job of raising her 'children' (if you can call a 31, 29, 25 and 21 year old that).

For a long time I couldn't remember if her birthday was August 5th or 7th. I don't know why, it just never seemed to stick. I think this is payback for her always asking what year I was born. That never seemed to stick with her. She also doesn't seem to remember some big events from my childhood - when I stepped on a nail and gashed my foot open or when she forgot to pick me up from school one afternoon - those sorts of things. I've ragged her about it for 15 some odd years and realized today...why? Why when all she's ever shown me is love do I give her a hard time?

I can count on...maybe two fingers the times my mother has been really angry or upset with me (and at least one of those was deserved - can we say 'You can't ride with us to the Singing Christmas Tree (except in a way cruel-er) way?). Two times...in almost 26 years. Isn't that amazing? Now, maybe she's been upset with me more than those times but I don't think she ever let it show.

I say all this now because I realize some people aren't blessed with moms that are as loving or caring. They don't have moms that drove to and from Dallas in 36 hours to find an apartment with you, or called you every day (multiple times a day) when you were in a new place all by yourself, or sent you a Halloween card just to send you something, or gave you a Christmas tree as flowers on your birthday so that you could have a tree in your apartment, or look for houses for you when you can't even buy a house, or get you a subscription to the Itawamba County Times because they know it makes you happy, or simply pray for you when they know their little girl needs it. I can't explain the number of times she's been there for me in little ways and big and whether she realizes how other people compliment the job she did raising us children.

I'm not very eloquent and really don't have a way with words, even though I'd like to, but I just had to give credit where credit is due. My mother is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman. One of the best moms I know.

Favorite picture of us - Thanksgiving or Christmas 2006

On our way to apt. search in Dallas - we made her cry because she took her shoes off and they smelled so bad - August 2007

Making sure the window in my bathroom opens...it didn't. However, I eventually got it open like a year and half later.

Giving Leah rabbit ears. Ha, Leah wasn't happy - Christmas 2007

Modeling a vest (that we made her put on) in the thrift store - September 2008

One of our favorite pasttimes - playing Phase 10 - Thanksgiving 2008

I realize she's reading this and my guess is - crying - but I had to get it out. Sorry for making you cry Mama, but just think of me singing "Ask any of the chickies in my pen. They'll tell you I'm the biggest Mother...Hen." and smile :)

I love you!