the title of my blog today sounds like an inspirational poster you would see in an elementary classroom. i could imagine it. a big 3d square type font in distractingly bright colors. wish i could say i made that line up, but i actually heard delilah say it on the radio as i was driving to the house im housesitting at this evening. it made me think of my mom, and how i feel right now.
today i want to give major props to my mom. the most amazing woman i know. it's her birthday today and since we went to dinner as a family on sunday, she really didn't expect much from us today. my sister and i decided (last minute of course) that we thought it would be pretty fabulous to throw her a mini-surprise party. the family and close friends were invited, and it was planned to just be cake and ice cream. i mentioned to my family that gifts were not necessary.... but yellow roses were my moms favorite, and i thought it would be cool if everyone got her one and wrote her or card, or c0uld just be there to celebrate with her on this day.
now, when i say family -- most people think a mom, dad, couple siblings, maybe a few aunts and uncles, and a couple cousins.... well when i talk about my family, i need to explain just how big it is to get my point across when i say it's big... my mom is the 9th of 10 children (the youngest girl). she has 6 brothers and 2 sisters, which only one is with us today (we love you and miss you aunt esther). and when i talk about my cousins, i mean my first, and second cousins. with my mom being one of the youngest, her oldest nieces and nephews are a few years younger than her; combined my oldest cousin is maybe 40 and my youngest cousin (2nd cousin) is only a couple months old! when i claim that i am blessed, i truly am so thankful to have such a huge network of family to love and support me. the point i was getting at is that the 'simple party' turned into a great celebration... lindsey and i were rushing and stressing to get things done before my mom arrived - and as my family arrived, they each took on different duties to help us quickly get things in order. big sigh of relief on my part.
my mom and aunt linda, the two girls in the family, have taken on a lot of the duties that my grandma once filled. they play the role of keeping the family close together, and are generally the hosts of all our family functions and gatherings (its funny how for us a simple sunday dinner can turn out more guests than some people's thanksgivings! ha. and thats usually with them not being invited, its like word gets out and they just show up. i love it.). lately my mom has been working so hard and has been so busy. she works harder than anyone i know, but she still finds time for her family and friends. she can be tough on you, but she speaks honestly and truthfully. she can be your biggest fan, yet your greatest critic. and even though my mom and i can bash heads (okay so maybe we're a little too alike) i dont know what i would do without her. with confidence i can say that i wouldn't be who i am today if it weren't for my mom --- the faith she has instilled in me, the drive and motivation to work hard, to believe in yourself, to be passionate about the things and people you love, to always remember that no matter what, your family will always be there for you, and to stand up for what you believe in.
today in celebrating my mom's birthday, my main goal was for her to see how grateful so many people are to have her in their lives, and how much we all truly love her.
i really just wanted today to be something simple. just to show my mom how much we care, to celebrate with her, and for once to do something for her without her having to bend over backwards for the rest of us. im so thankful for my mom, and my family who could be there to make today so special. im so thankful for you all who (even with my short notice) could be there to celebrate with us today.
its amazing to think about my mom, dad, and all my family -- and just know how truly blessed i am. i am so grateful for having them all in my life.
i am a very lucky girl. happy birthday mom. i love you more than you know.
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