Because Of My Mom

I have the perfect mom. I know what you're thinking - I am only saying that because it is Mother's Day. While it does sadden me that I don't say it enough, I kid you not - every day of the year, she is a wonderful mom.

Growing up as my mother's daughter, I have a lot of good memories. Some are happy, some are sad, but all of them are good. For 27 years now, my mom has been a mother, and this is the calling to which she has faithfully devoted her life. There has never been a moment when I did not feel fully loved, and there has never been a time when she has not come through for my sister and me. These are just a few of them...

When my sister and I were kids, the big craze was Teddy Ruxpen, the talking bear. Of course, my sister and I had to have one. We already had a talking Big Bird and Mother Goose, but we needed the bear. And, of course, they were completely sold out everywhere. One day my mom got a call that one store had just gotten one in, and would hold it for thirty minutes. She left work during the storm of the century, drove like a mad-woman in dangerous conditions to get there in time, and walked through the parking lot in ankle-deep water - all to get some silly toy that her daughters couldn't live without. (She even sustained a rather unusual injury while on this mission, but she will kill me if I go there, so I will not.) That bear is long gone now, but the knowledge of what my mother did that day stays with me. Becuase of my mom, Christmas was extra special that year.

When I was a sophomore in high school, my cheerleading squad won a trip to Hollywood, California to march in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. A week before we were to leave, the mom who was supposed to chaperone backed out. Our coach gently informed us that we could not take the trip. We had been practicing the routine for weeks, and had already received our uniforms and plane tickets. It was devastating, and I was inconsolable. My mom knew how big a part of my life cheerleading was, and how much going on this trip meant to me. Somehow she managed to scrounge up the money, get the time off work, and muster up the courage to spend three nights in a hotel with 12 high school girls (not all of whom were the nicest young ladies, might I add). Because of my mom, we got to go on the vacation of a lifetime.

A year later, when I was a Junior, prom time rolled around. This was not a happy time for me. I did not have a date, or a dress, and was heartbroken to accept the fact that I was going to have to miss out on the big night. About three days before prom, I met a guy from another school that I wanted to ask, but there was still the issue of the dress. There were only three days remaining, and I was so busy with cheer practice and a part time job, that it just wasn't going to happen. One night I got home late from work, and found my mother waiting for me - with a gorgeous dress, two tickets, and the phone ready for me to call this guy. Her and my grandma had gone shopping while I was at work. Because of my mom, I got to be a part of the biggest event of the year (with no curfew!).

Because of my mom, I had the best childhood. I got to experience the zoo and the circus (even though she fears circuses). I had the best birthday parties, even one that involved a dozen 13-year-old girls asleep in the living room. I had someone to watch every new cheer and dance routine I ever learned - twice. Because of my mom, I had cupcakes to bring to school every year on my birthday. I had the most magical Christmases (she still writes "from Santa" on some of the gifts). I had someone to read to, and someone to play board games with on rainy days. Because of my mom, I know how to scrapbook and cross-stitch and sew. I know how to crochet and cook (well, kind of). Because of my mom, I am officially addicted to American Idol and blogging. I have a place to sleep on the weekends, because I cannot stand to spend more than two weeks away from her.

Most importantly, because of my mom, I am truly blessed. God was definitely looking out for me when he gave me the mom he did.

Happy Mother's Day, mom. You truly have no idea how special you are. You are my best friend, and one of my favorite people.