To my mother

I didn't get a card sent to my mom this year. Sorry mom. I have been very remiss in this department lately. I don't mean to be, but somehow life just seems to get in my way. So instead I will just tell all of you about my wonderful mom.

Mom grew up the 3rd of 6 children, the only girl so she also grew up knowing how to take care of herself. She was expected to work alongside of her parents and brothers to keep the farm going. When she was born, the little town the family lived in did not have electricity. Her family was one of the last to have in door plumbing and electricity. This was always a place of peace and tranquility for me in my growing up years.

My mother graduated in the top 10 of her class. (I do have to tell you though that there were 8 (I think) in her graduating class). To me she was always the smartest mom around. She always knew the answer to whatever I asked. She taught me to love books and knowledge and the process of gaining that knowledge. When I was 5 or 6 my parents purchased a set of encyclopedias for her children to use and thus started me down the path of life long love of learning.

My mother also instilled a definate sense of right and wrong in me. In fact, my sister and I were discussing this one day. We were talkng about how Mom would never, ever allow us to put our feet on the furniture, or on the dash of the car. Even now, 20+ years later and we make the payments on the furniture or car, we still cannot put our feet up. We try, but hear Mom's voice and after a few minutes have to put our feet down. This is also the reason I do not carry a comb in my purse- one should get dressed (and that includes hair and makeup) before leaving the house and be done with it.

Now, was my mother perfect? No. Did she make mistakes? Of course. If you ask her does she wish that she had done some things different? Yes. But every mom in the history of the world feels that way. As far as I am concerned, she was the perfect mother for me. Because of her I am the woman I am today. I know how to hold my head high. I know how to be honest, even when it would be easier not to. I can take care of myself, I am strong. I know the Lord and love Him. As Abraham Lincoln said, "All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my sainted mother"

Thanks mom.