My Mom: When God first laid it on my heart to write this blog I was overwhelmed with the idea, because there is so much to say about my mom and I am finding it difficult to articulate exactly what I’m thinking. It’s hard to put into words how much this one woman has completely shaped my life throughout the past 23 years. We all have mothers-some great and some not so great. God has blessed me with an exceptionally great mother. They say you can’t choose your parents, and I’m glad for that because I’m not sure I would have done such a great job as the ones chosen for me. It’s funny how much more I am realizing this now that I have been away from my mom these past eight months. Sometimes you have to be separated from someone to really know how much you appreciate them. I have to narrow this down or else you would be here for days reading this blog, because believe me there is tons more that I could say about my mom… You don’t have to be around my mom for long before you recognize her huge selflessness attitude. I don’t think there was even one time I can remember that she didn’t do something for me that I really needed. She will drop everything she is doing if you ask for anything. My mom gets the idea of dying to yourself daily-this is the life she lives. She has seven children, and seven grandchildren that she is constantly thinking about and taking care of. She would do anything for any of us at any time, and she has proved this time and time again. I know that one thing I have realized since being away from her is how much I depend on her for even the small things. Anytime I need to know something like a recipe or some random bit of information, I call my mom. Anytime I am sick, I call my mom. Anytime I need someone to console me, I call my mom. Anytime I just need to talk to someone that I know loves me no matter what, I call my mom. She is an incredible servant, and she does it always with a joyful heart. Daily she gives and gives of herself. She is always there when I need her, and often times when I think I don’t need her she’s still there and I’m always thankful. My mom has a huge heart for people unlike anyone I have ever known. Not only does she think about her family she thinks about others as well. I’m sure she has been this way her whole life, but I have been recognizing it more and more these past few years. I’m sure it’s because my eyes are more open to seeing others hearts rather than focusing on myself so much. There are many stories of which my mom has given of herself for complete strangers. She is always aware of other people’s needs, and if she is capable she helps them. I will never forget the time when I was in high school and she opened up our house for my friend that had a terrible family life and needed somewhere to stay for a while. She hates seeing people that are struggling and in need. When we were younger for Christmas we would all get one “big gift”, one that was nicer and cost a little more than the other gifts under the tree. Now that we are older instead of spending that money on a “big gift” she chooses one charity or cause to give the money to. This has really spoken volumes to me, and it squeezes my heart every year. One more thing, and maybe the most amazing thing to me, is how much she has cares for and supports our family. When I was young my mom had at least three jobs at one time to support us. We didn’t have much money, but I would have never known it if someone didn’t tell me. She was such an amazing mommy, and she always made things fun for us even if we couldn’t go to the movies all the time or go out to eat every weekend. I think some of the best memories I have growing up where Friday nights. My two older siblings would be out somewhere, and my sister and I would be at home with my mom. She would pull out the sofa bed, make popcorn, and we would watch the movie Home Alone, and have a slumber party in the living room. We did this every single Friday night for many years (I could act out the whole entire movie for you if you asked me to). On the weekends she would take us to the lake to feed the ducks and fish, and play at the park. Even though we didn’t have much money, she made our childhood fun. She read books to us every night, and we always had food on the table. Now that we are all older, she still does everything she can to make our lives fun and full of memories. Until I came on the Race, my mom and I would so shopping and have lunch together almost every Friday. I looked forward to it every week. Even if we didn’t buy anything, it was still so much fun. We have a few family traditions, and this became one of them. My mom is the strongest, most amazing woman that I know. She is drop dead gorgeous, smart, kind, patient, selfless, brilliant, artistic, and many many other things. Mommy, you bless me more than you know. I am thankful for you every single day. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you, and thank God for you. I know I wouldn’t be where I am now or be the person that I am now with out you. Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for taking care of us in such an amazing and graceful way. You are a pillar of strength, and I look up to you more than you know. I can’t tell you enough how much I love you. I pray so much that I can be at least half the mother that you are to me one day. I can’t wait to see you J
