Mother's Day

Another year, another Mother's Day to celebrate! The greatest joy in my life was the day I became a mother.

I have two awesome children, and our family grows larger every year (thanks, Adrienne!). We now have a total of 10: Nicol, Me, Adrienne, George, Jade, Jaimee, Jordin, Quad, Tyler, and Abby; someday, Tyler and Abby will add a little Elway to this list.

Thinking back on my mom. She turned 84 last week, on May 4. She was 38 when I was born, which makes me....never mind. I think it would be a safe assumption that I was an "oopsy-daisy" baby. I really don't know if my parents slept together after I came along...probably not, because I was right between them most nights! I couldn't imagine having a baby at age 38...major depression!

In her pre-motherhood days, my mom worked as a telephone operator in San Fransisco, and during WWII, as a riveter in an airplane factory in Dallas, building bombers. Then, she moved back to Arkansas and married my dad. They have four kids...I am the youngest and the favorite. ;o) Thankfully, we are all close to normal.

We have been fruitful and multiplied. Six grandkids, and 13 great grandkids have been added since 1970.

My mom was a fantastic cook. It seems like everything she made was good...except maybe turnip greens...I think she made that on days that she was angry with us. My favorite was sausage gravy and biscuits, and her roast (a Sunday staple) was to die for! She loved gardening, working in the yard, sitting on the porch when it was raining, softball, traveling, and the Dallas Cowboys. On the Sundays of football season, if the preacher wasn't done by 12, we would leave church to get home in time for the kickoff...had to watch those 'Boys play! In my opinion, we should have skipped church completely to watch pre-game, but that is another blog!!!!

I remember her exercising to get in shape so she would look good in a swimsuit for her first trip to Hawaii. I don't know why, but I got the biggest kick out of it...seriously...rolling on the floor with laughter. It's what you do for entertainment in a small town. And the times that she would get a little tipsy on a glass of wine...because the doctor said it was good for her health (uh-huh...whatever). We played on the same softball team...she was in her sixties by then, but still a good pitcher. In fact, she was a pitcher, I was a pitcher, and Adrienne was a pitcher...hmmmm...is there a pattern emerging here? I took several trips to California with my mom, loading up in the car with Aunt Mary (her older sister) and Uncle Tommy. We ate at every McDonald's between Jal and Palm Springs, god help us. She was always a lot of fun on these trips...I can't say the same for my aunt and uncle, though! Where were MP3 players and Game Boys back then, when you REALLY needed them?

I have fond memories of my mom, and after becoming one myself, I finally understood the person she was. There is a lot of work that goes into being a mother. There are days when you're appreciated, and days when you aren't; days when you absolutely adore your children, and days when you want to lock yourself away. I feel very blessed to have my mom around for another mother's day. Thanks, mom! I love you!