Happy Mother's Day!

If you are blessed, as I am, to have an amazing Mom, you should take some time, not just at Mother's Day, but every day to be thankful for the tremendous gift you have been given.  Life is fleeting.  It is here today and gone tomorrow and the moments to learn and to grow from being in the presence of your Mother are not promised to last forever.  I've learned so much over the last few months, watching my mom deal with cancer and struggle through what has been emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting times.  She stays true to herself and to God who has given her so much joy over the years.  Finding her smiling and laughing when there's so little to laugh about has been one of my biggest joys.  To hear her say, "You might as well laugh as cry," makes my day.  Because I've realized through her example that you work on the things that you can do something about, and the ones you can't, you have to release to God and trust Him to make the difference.

Children learn so much from their mothers.  We rarely recognize the impact when we are learning the lessons, but their fingerprints on our life leave undeniable marks.  In honor of my mom, and all the things that she has taught me, I've decided to share a few of the many lessons she has taught me over the years:

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.  "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me THE POWER OF PRAYER.  "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.  "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.  "Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.  "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.  "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.  "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.  "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.  "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.  "You are going to sit there until all that meatloaf is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.  "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.  "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.  "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about ENVY.  "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
15. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.  "Just wait until your Dad gets home."
16. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.  "You are going to get it when you get home!"
17. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.  "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."
18. My mother taught me ESP.  "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
19. My mother taught me HUMOR.  "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
20. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.  "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
21. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.  "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
22. My mother taught me WISDOM.  "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
23.  My mother taught me about PAIN.  "This is going to hurt me  more than it hurts you."
24.  My mother taught me about IMPOSSIBLE TASKS.  "You sit there and shut your mouth.  Do you hear what I am saying to you?  Answer me!"
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.  "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

So thanks Mom for all the wonderful lessons - some less painful than others.  The scary part is I find myself saying the same things to my kids from time to time.  So, if you've said any of these things, don't feel bad.  Someday your kids will grow up and share with the world in a blog about all the wonderful things you taught them.
 
In all seriousness, my mom is a true beacon of hope and inspiration that I draw strength from daily.  Throughout all of my life, I've learned to appreciate the good things, learn from the bad, trust God with all and to be thankful for the amazing family that God has surrounded me with.  Thank you Mom!  I love you with all my heart!