Mom

My mom's birthday was yesterday and being so far away made it hard to really let her know how special she is to our family.   All of us kids call her almost daily.  Yes, this woman is ALWAYS on the phone.   She has always been the "do it all" woman.  Last Christmas I called her to see what she was up to and she replied "I am putting up the christmas lights and have to hurry because it is starting to rain, I'll call you back."  CRAZY, but very telling of her personality.  I could just picture her standing on ladder in a near drizzle, answering her phone.   One of her greatest examples to me of what a mother should be is my senior year of high school I needed (rather, wanted) another pair of shoes.  She took me to the mall and we spent hours shopping around...I am very picky.  I finally found a pair of dr martens (that is dating me I'm sure) that were pretty expensive.  I have a vivid memory of trying on this nice new pair of leather shoes while she stood watching me try them on (this may have been my 10th pair).  She told me that they looked good.  I remember looking over as I was unbuckling my shoes and seeing her standing there in a pair of well worn tennis shoes that had a really large hole in the side.  She obviously had no thought of buying some for herself even though I had dragged her to half a dozen shoe stores.  She hadn't picked up a single pair to try on herself.  She was only there for me, even though she needed a pair of shoes way more than I did, for sure.  I have so many memories just like this.  She is the kind of mother I want to be and I am thankful for her lessons taught through example.  Love you mom!  Happy Birthday...