my mom...

Today, November 24th, I am thankful for my mom. It's her birthday. I won't tell you which one, but I WILL say that she looks a good 10 years younger than she is. You'd be surprised. She is beautiful. I think the secret is that she laughs...alot. She is happy and kind, and that keeps her young.

Why am I so grateful for her?

*Her personality. She loves to laugh. She is so silly and when she is...it makes YOU laugh. Her personality is contagious. You can be in a room full of people...GREAT people, and you will find yourself wanting to stand next to her. I call her a lot. She will feel whatever I'm feeling, and sometimes I need that comfort. If I'm crying, she'll cry. If Molly says something hysterical, I'll call Mom immediately so I can hear her laugh. In high school, I chose to hang out with her rather than friends. We liked the same thing. There was less pressure. Is that wierd? We would sit at the piano for hours, playing together. Fumbling through songs...and laughing the whole time. Actually, we were pretty good...her on the left hand and me on the right. When she comes to visit, we do it and it makes me happy.

*Her kindness. She has a genuine interest in people. She can make anyone feel like they are the most important person to her. I can remember her striking up conversation with people at the grocery, in line at the post office, at gas stations. I was mortified as a kid. I realize now, that that is a gift. Not everyone is able to make people feel that way. She always has been and always will be.

*Her loyalty. She is so loyal to my dad and to her kids. She would do anything for us. She loves my dad and shows him every day. She really doesn't argue with him. She disagrees, but fights aren't really in her nature. Can you even imagine? I think I inherited quite a bit from her, but not that.

*Her passion. When she loves something, you better believe you'll know about it. Scrapbook supplies, Il Divo, the beach, old ceiling tiles. :) She is an intense shopper. She is really good at it and practices almost every day. I love when we SHARE a passion...like photos of my kids. I take pictures, I post pictures, we look at pictures together...ooohing and aaaahing over them like fireworks. She orders prints that very same day so she can look at them closer and touch them. That means the world to me. It makes me happy. Sometimes I'll take extra pictures just so we can have that time together.

*Her intense love for her family. I live for her visits. I think we all do (my siblings, I mean). I am so happy when I know she's coming. She is so good with my children. Never yelling at them. Doing whatever will make them happy. Going on walks, doing puzzles, watching Barbie Nutcracker. They KNOW she adores them. She hugs them, kisses them, and tells them. She brings warmth everywhere she goes. Comfort. Peace. And lots and lots of laughter.

Mom, I love you so much. The Lord blessed me when he gave me to you. Hopefully I can take what I have learned from you and bless others. Happy Birthday!