Momma...

Tomorrow is Mothers Day. Since I've become a mother myself, this day has taken on whole new meaning, suddenly becoming a little more special...and it's certainly made me so much more thankful for my own Mom.

My Mom is the kind of Mom that always encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and do things I normally wouldn't do. It was her idea for me to run for president of my class during my freshman year of high school. I still cant believe I did it. I'm certainly not shy by any means, but getting up to speak in front of THAT many people is scary. She even helped me come up with my own campaign slogan, "Don't be a sucker...vote for Erica!" She then proceeded to go out and by 400 of those big gourmet suckers (to go along with my "sucker theme") to pass out to my entire class! My mom is the most creative person I know. In the end, I didn't win, but it was such a great learning experience for me, and I'm so glad I did it.
There was another time, SO LONG AGO, but I remember it like it was yesterday...I was in the first grade. Every Friday, our class would have show and tell, and you could bring something in to show everyone, or talk about a topic you were interested in. I have no idea how, but my mom talked me into getting up in front of the class to do a little dance and lip-sink to one of my favorite songs (a Janet Jackson song, by the way)! When I was a little girl I LOVED to lip-sink and make up dances to different songs I liked, and my parents have some of the funniest videos of me GETTIN' DOWN in our living room. I was such a HAM at home, but not in public AT ALL. Anyways, I got up there that day and did it. All my classmates were cheering, and they all got up and started dancing with me! I felt so big...and I couldn't wait to go home and tell Mom how wonderful it was! My teacher sent a note home saying she couldn't believe I actually got up there and did that, and that she loved it! My mom always strove to build my confidence, and always told me that I could do anything I wanted, no matter what. She always encouraged me to "go for it," and still, to this day, she's my biggest cheerleader.

My Mom is the kind of Mom that has a way with children and teenagers like no one else Ive ever met. They are just drawn to her. My friends always loved coming over to my house...not just to hang out with me, but to be around my parents as well. I actually remember a time when I was staying the night with one of my girlfriends, and one of my other friends stopped by at my mom and dad's house and ended up staying the night there...without me! They were SO fun. They weren't the kind of parents that let you get away with whatever you wanted by any means (they could lay down the law on you in a minute,) but they were much younger than most parents, so they just related to us well. My dad would ALWAYS have us laughing our heads off, and most of the time Mom would stay up well into the night night talking with us girls. My friends would end up telling her things they would never have told anyone else, including me, just because she was so easy to talk to...and they knew they could trust her. My mom let me have friends over almost every single weekend, and somehow she kept her sanity. She would make the best snacks, come up with the best games, the most interesting things to do, the neatest places to go, and made all of my friends feel like they were right at home. I'm her only child, but Ive always said she certainly has had several "adopted" children as well.

My Mom is the kind of Mom that always goes out of her way to make others feel extra special. She made the BIGGEST deal out of almost every holiday and all of my birthdays. She's thrown me several HUGE surprise parties and invited ALL of my friends without me having any clue. Looking back now, I can understand all the work, time, and preparation that went into something like that, and I appreciate her so much more. She is the kind of woman who wants to keep old family traditions, as well as start new ones. During Thanksgiving, which is always at her house, she uses her best china, and makes every ones favorite dishes. We always have a big mess afterward, and way too much food, but every year she keeps doing it...with a happy heart! When I was sick as a little girl (well, even up until I was married) she would take such good care of me. She'd make me the most comfortable palettes on the couch, draw me a warm bath (with the smell-good stuff, of course), turn something good on the TV, and bring me the best sick-snacks. She was the best nurse Ive ever had, and one day, Im going to be the best nurse she's ever had too.

My Mom is the kind of Mom that is in it with you for the long haul. She isn't a quitter, and she has never ever given up on me...even when it might have been the easiest thing for her to do. There have been several times when Ive just wanted to quit or give up on something, and she is always there to encourage me to keep going. I remember when I was being a bratty, know-it-all teenager (Thank the Lord that stage didn't last very long) and while she was firm, (at the time I probably would have said "unreasonable,") she was also gentle, loving, and quick to forgive. There was never a time she wasn't there for me with open arms, open ears, and an open heart. She knew when to hold me tight, and when to let me go. She has demonstrated so much patience with me, and more importantly, given me an enormous amount of unconditional love.


My Mom is the kind of Mom that makes me want to be just like her. She is so unbelievably wise, talented, creative and hard working. She is an excellent cook, home-maker, gardener, shopping partner, advice-giver, listener, and has the fantastic taste in just about everything. She is crafty, frugal, and always has the greatest solutions for the most simple to the most complex problems. She takes pleasure in the simple things. She is a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. She is so giving of herself and her time. She has a wonderful and unique sense of humor that always keeps me laughing (often until my sides ache.) She lives for the moment, and does her best to keep things in perspective and not "sweat the small stuff." She lets Sawyer play in her lipstick, jewelry, the mud...and sometimes lets her get away with things that I might not, which I don't mind a single bit. She's the best "Mimi" in the world. She's a long talk, a warm bubble bath, a bouquet full of fresh-picked wildflowers, singing as loud as you can, a favorite meal, a bible story, a sunny day, a dance in the rain, a secret kept. She is the most beautiful woman I know.
I just adore her.

Happy Mothers Day, Momma... I Love You.