Our First Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a time to reflect and celebrate the women in our lives who made us who we are. Whether they are related or not does not matter. These women are superwomen. They cared for us when we were sick, told us stories at night, they taught us right from wrong, they taught us to be strong, and were there during our triumphs and heartbreaks. They did all of this while running house or business. I'll say it again, my mom is superwoman. 

Let me tell you about my Mom. She's a married woman of 25 years. She work twenty-four / seven at home and at work. She has three children, of whom I am the first. She's been a mother for 23 years and I've been there since day one. 

This story is usually told on my birthday but I've come to realize that this story has more to do with her than it ever will about me. It all started with pizza and cheesecake. Funny how this story starts with food. My parents went out for pizza and cheesecake one cold January Alaskan night. The waitress jokingly told my mom that the pizza would make the baby come. I'm sure they laughed it off, her due date was a few week away. In the middle of the night the pizza lady's words rang true and they rushed to the hospital. It wasn't long before I arrived. And that was our first Mothers Day. 

My mother has taught me a lot of things. She taught me how to cook, clean, and take care of my siblings. She taught me to care for others. She taught me how to be strong and she taught me that it is okay to cry. She took me to dance and gymnastics classes. She routed for me when I tried to do sports. She helped me in Girl Scouts. She helped me in school. She's understands when I'm not ready to do something and encourages me when I am.

We look a lot a like. People sometimes mistake me for her.

I inherited her love of crafts and thrifting. I grew up watching her up to her elbows in scrapbooks, quilts, crochet, and paint. She had an entire room set aside for her work. Sometimes I would do my homework in there. 

We go to thrift stores and try to find the oldest books or best cook books. I have an entire suitcase filled with thrifted books because of this. We've found some pretty good ones. Disney cook books and old encyclopedias. Cookbooks and text books are her favorites.

We've been through a lot together in 23 years. Sometimes we get along, sometimes we don't but I know that she loves me. I hope she knows I love her. I don't always show it and I know that I should. I'm moving and I don't know if I'll see her next mothers day which is hitting me kind of hard. She is my mom and I'm going to miss her a lot.

This weekend I am celebrating my mother by remembering our first Mother's Day with pizza and cheesecake - and chocolate chip cookies because they're her favorite. 

I love you mom!