Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a mom. I had a great example to follow. I came from a generation that still encouraged women to remain at home and be the backbone of the family. The economy wasn't out of control that necessitated a duel income family fund. Growing up in the 60's seemed idyllic. We went to local schools. We walked to school everyday, played with the neighbor children until twilight, went on family vacations, caught polliwogs in the ditch and watched them grow into frogs. We all learned to ride bikes, climb trees, fall out of trees and in the later years of childom, rode our horses all day, went swimming in the river all day, rode our bikes all over the Island district, ate fresh tortillas at a friend's house, picked fruit and helped out at the dairy. Of all my friends, only one mom worked away from home. We had authority at all times to help guide us, feed us and protect us when we needed it most. I wanted to be like all those moms.

But the best mom of all was mine. She wasn't perfect, and did not act like Beaver's mom. She did prove to me that being a mom was a wonderful part of life. She would start her day by getting dressed and getting breakfast started. Then she would wake each of us girls up and take a cup of coffee in to wake up daddy. After chatting to daddy for a bit, she would go in and finish breakfast. We all ate together, and then everyone went to school or work. Mom stayed home, kept the house, canned, cooked, sewed and created a home that was pleasant to come home to each day. She also created some income by sewing for a local dry cleaners.

By the time I reached high school age, when girls are not all that pleasant, she still was reliable, dependable and would willingly listen to my problems. I may not have like her advice, but she gave it anyway. My mom was the best example of being a mom.

I finally got to be a mom, and we decided that it was my place to be home and be the kind of mom we both grew up with. I tried to mimic my mom, can't say I was all the successful, but I think I did pretty good. The one thing I never realized was what a dreary job it could be at times. But I also had no idea how incredible the job was and what a joy it was to be a mom and to watch your children grow up into adults, that would be an asset to the community. I also hope to have been the example to the Girl that mom was to me.

I wanted to take a few moment to remember Mom on this day, so that I won't forget her self sacrifice, selfless acts, all the sewing she did for us, the very good meals I ate and the special lunches she made for me to take to school. My mom gave me her heart, taught me to give myself to my family. Thanks Mom.