I cried today. I mean who cries when someone hands you a gift? A 4'11'', green eyed, 100lbs girl (115lbs on the race but I'm trying to be realistic and the World Race isn't much like real life) does in fact cry when handed thoughtful gifts. I guess I'm talking about myself, Alyssa Michelle Horner. Let me tell you what was in this black bag: Mini peanut butter cups, water flavor, iced coffee mix, Starbucks coffee, Zone bars, coffee creamer, magazines, a tub of parmesan cheese(aka sprinkle cheese), and taco seasoning! You may think to yourself how dumb of a present that is, oh but let me just tell you. In the eyes of a world racer, this is the sweetest gift anyone could have showered us with. And only a fellow racer would know that:) Thank you Morgan. She found us in Swaziland and a past racer in 2007.
Let me tell you about my mother. I think I got her giggles. Her petite figure. And her creative mind.
The longer I live the more I realize how no one else loves me as well as my mom. I remember sending her a letter from a high school leadership retreat in Myrtle Beach and it expressed my appreciation for her cooking. I'm not so sure that thank went over that well. But I do have a lot more understanding what I meant by sending that. I was trying to be nice.
She would constantly stay up late reading and correcting my papers from school. Passing anything but art class probably wouldn't have happened without her. I was always running late to school and work but when she noticed she would pack me a lunch. I can't tell you the amount of times that I over commit to way too many things and she finished them for me. Like when I was working a part time job along with my full time job, planning for the race, and planning a huge fashion show fundraiser she not only helped with the fashion show she also made chili for work because I organized a chili cook off. It seemed like every time I would come home from college there was a new dress, my favorite snacks, the newest flavor of chocolate, nail polish, etc all laying on my bed. Like she was out shopping (which is a lot) and every time she saw something and thought about me she would buy it for me.
My mom sacrificed her life for us kids. She would come home from work and start dinner. She makes all my favorite foods and cook so that we will all like it. She would buy all our favorite snacks. And I new exactly where the chocolate stash was. And then after dinner she would clean and clean until she fell asleep on the couch. Then repeat. Unless of course I was having my latest meltdown and needed chili and some fashion show tickets made. She would be up all night.
My mom shows me love the best way she knows how. And for me it works. My brothers might think by her buying them a new pair of pants or concerned if they ate dinner is annoying. But to me it shows that she loves me.
I never know how the best way to show her love but I try. She will always be my favorite shopping buddy. My favorite vacation partner. And my favorite person to eat cup cakes with.
Love you Mom.
