My Mother

So I know that Mother's Day was last weekend, but this is the first opportunity that I have had to sit down and write since then. I figure that it is never too late to talk about how amazing my mother is. For Mother's Day, Sara and I sent our mom flowers and bought her a gift certificate to have her nails done. After church on Sunday, I also took her out to lunch (Sara wasn't here or she would have gone as well). While my mom seemed pleased with all of this, it was in no way enough to show our appreciation for all of her love and support through the years. Both Sara and I are very close to our mom. We each talk to her everyday, sometimes more than once a day. At least in my case, I can only remember one big fight that I have ever had with my mom. For the most part, we have always been tight. As people get older, you sometimes hear them complain about becoming more and more like their parents. In my life, I hope to become more like my mom. She is truly one of the best people I know. She listens to me vent about work or life everyday, and rarely expects me to listen to her (I'm trying to be better about asking how her day was). Not to sound cliche, but she would literally give the shirt off of her own back to help someone in need. Like any mother, she was always there for Sara or me if we were sick or sad, and she continues to be to this day. I'm not ashamed to admit that I took her with me to each doctor's visit when I was so sick last year (after all, she is a nurse, so she knows all the right questions to ask). My mom has helped me move into and out of apartments, houses, and classrooms. She surprises me by coming over to mow my lawn when I am stressed and have so much to do that I can't see straight. She has gone with my class on a field trip to Jamestown, and she has sat through a winter chorus concert by third graders just to show her support for me. One time, also when I was sick last year, my mom cleaned my entire apartment while I was at work. It was her day off, but she spent the day stocking my fridge, dusting, vaccuuming, rearranging cupboards, and mopping floors all because that is just the kind of person she is. Am I spoiled? ABSOLUTELY, and I count my blessings for it everyday. Still, all of this is not what makes my mom so special. Two years ago, in the face of the hardest time of her life (her divorce from my father and the death of her father), my mom took a stand and truly showed how strong she really is. Though I begged her to hang on, she did what was right for her and got out of a bad situation. At the time, I didn't understand it, but looking back at it now, I could not be more proud of her. My mom displayed true courage in standing up for herself. Not only that, but she also taught me a lot about being a strong woman and a great mother. I only hope that one day I will have the chance to make her as proud as she has always made me. If I am half the mother she has always been, I will consider myself a success. I love you, Mama!