Mom's the Word

My Mom, for all she drives me nuts, is one of the best in the world (she sent me the above card last week). I love her dearly. The fact that we don't see eye to eye on many things is probably a compliment to her raising us to be independent thinkers. Even so, she is unfailingly supportive of all five of her children and always has been. And, although the youngest of us is now 45, she still worries about us, about our health and safety, and (*rolls eyes*) our religious convictions.

Lately, in all the tough stuff I've been dealing with, my Mom has solidly been there for me as much as an 82 year old woman can be from 2800 miles away. I don't know what I would have done without her loving ear and help the past few months. In my daily bean drinking river contemplation ritual this morning I thought... how fortunate I am that she's still here and that we have a good relationship. There are so many people I know who lack one or the other element with their mothers.

So, two days early... here's to you Mom. Thank you for giving me some good cornerstones to build upon, thank you for allowing me the freedom to be my own architect, thank you for giving me a name I can be proud to bear, and thank you for being the moat of love that surrounds the structure in my life. You've made all the difference. I love you.