Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Mother's Day


You know that old saying, “I want to be just like my mother.” Well, I do.

My mother is a very strong person. When I was growing up, my father, who was a career Marine, was overseas a lot. Every time he received orders to leave the country, she had to run our household on her own. If the car had to be worked on, if we had to be taken to the doctor, if the furnace had to be repaired, she dealt with it.

She was the boss. And each time Daddy came home she had to convince him of that. So, while he was on the base he was boss, but at home, he got to take orders or take things easy.

Hum—maybe he didn’t just let her have her way, maybe he planned it that way all along.

When I was six, and my brother and I were both in school, my mother extended her education to get her Cosmetology license. She juggled kids, still ran the household, and finished her degree to be a beautician. She wanted more for herself than just being a house wife. Good thing. With the demands of two kids and two adults hinging on the small income of a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corp, things were tight.

She took on the added responsibility because she had to, but also because it fulfilled her as a person knowing she was more than June Cleaver. So, she wore another hat to go along with Mom and Wife. If you needed your hair done, a manicure, your ears pierced, she was, and still is, your girl.

My father died ten years ago. And while he was sick, he depended on her for everything, looked to her for support and comfort. And seeing him and my mother together during that time, as awful and painful as it was, I saw what devotion and love really was between two people.

My mother is the cog around which the whole family gravitates. Not just to us but to other people in the family. If someone is sick, they call mom. Have a problem that they don’t know the solution for, call mom. Have a crisis and need help, call mom.

She’s always set a wonderful example for me, and the rest of my family. I can only hope to be as strong as she is one day. I love and admire her a great deal. I guess you can tell that. And I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

And to all of you.

Teresa Reasor

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Thirty years ago, or was it longer, I found this delightful book entitled I Am My Mommy. If you turned the book over, upside down it became I Am My Daddy. I loved to read the story to my children. I think I enjoyed it more though. The premise of the story was that for one day the little girl or little boy switched places and became the parent. It never occurred to me that one day I would grow up and become that little girl.

Almost six years ago, I moved in with my mom. After storing my "stuff" for months, I realized I was exactly where I needed to be and made the commitment to stay for the long haul. I emptied the storage units and filled my daughter's house. I still see my "stuff" when I visit, but I have long since lost that emotional attachment to things.

Annie Lyle Poe Lowry was born October 1, 1926 in a small town in South Carolina. After spending her adult life in Kentucky, she still sounds like where she came from. I call her accent a glass of sweet ice tea. When she was seventeen she was a passenger in a car hit by a train. Her boyfriend was killed and she was injured to such an extent that she was told she would never have children. Guess what! She had five, and four were born in six years.

She had her first heart attack in her early sixties. By-pass surgery, multiple stents, occluded carotid arteries, ovarian cancer, ruptured disks, whatever life threw at her she remained strong in her faith. It was her prayer for a long term solution for her care that brought me back home. Of all the things that have happened in her life she has remained faithful, optimistic, positive and most importantly a die-heart Democrat! But, her hardest struggle has been the loss of her vision from Macular Degeneration because it took away her independence. The way she's endured the procedures to treat her Macular has been awe inspiring. It reminds me constantly of how blessed I am to have the gift of health.

For the past two Mother's Days, my siblings and I have felt this could be her last one, but she surprises us with the gift of one more year. And would you believe the biggest joy in her life is listening daily to romance novels, after visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of course. But love stories keep her entertained and engaged in life.

On this Mother's Day I send my love and heartfelt thanks to a woman who is my role model, an inspiration, and a long tall glass of sweet ice tea. Happy Mother's Day - Annie Lyle Poe - my mom!

Katherine Lowry Logan

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Ten reasons why my mom rocks!

10. She has the patience of a turtle - something I truly lack.
9. She works like a dog - and has taught me to do the same.
8. She’s the only one who attempts to teach me how to cook.
7. She manages to keep a tan year around.
6. She’s as healthy as a horse.
5. She introduced me to horses when I was seven years old.
4. She loves all my animals as much as I do.
3. She’s the best babysitter in the world.
2. She gave me two sisters and a brother.
1. She manages to love me no matter what.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sloan Seymour




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I tossed around the idea of writing about what it means to me to be a mother for my Mother’s Day entry. But when I sat down to write, I found words could not adequately express how I feel about my son, nor could I compress it into a few tightly knit paragraphs. (What’s the literary equivalent to long-winded??)

As for my mom, Kim Carnes' raspy rendition of Betty Davis Eyes still echoes in my mind to this day. (Coincidentally, nail polish bottles make the best pretend microphones for little hands!) And when I couldn't sleep, probably because I was afraid of something under my bed, she'd scratch my back until I couldn't hold my eyes open.

Later on, when I was a teenager, I'll never forget the late night gab sessions after dad went to bed. They meant the world to me. Even then, she was my best friend.

I remember the look of pride in her eyes when I was getting ready for prom. She stood in the driveway and watched us drive away until we were completely out of site.

I have tons of memories like those, and for that there aren't enough words of gratitude. I dedicated my first book to her in a small way of thanking her for the difference she's made in my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today if not for her.

I love you mom. I'm glad I got to be your baby.


(Yeah, it was the 70's! lol)

Now (*clears throat and reaches for tissue*), here's a simple little poem I found floating around in cyberspace that I thought was sweet. Have a beautiful Mother’s Day everyone!

Tracy Preston

Mother

You filled my days with rainbow lights,
fairytales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,
Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me,
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
for deep warm hugs and being there.
I hope that when you think of me,
A part of you, you'll always see.

~Author Unknown~

3 comments:

Teresa Reasor said...

It sounds like we all ended up with wonderful Moms. We're all so very fortunate!!!
We'll have to have a mom reunion and get them all together some time.
Teresa

Devon Matthews said...

Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories about your moms.

kentucky cosmetology ce said...

Awesome story. Thank you for sharing that one. I also know a lot of moms who have been successful in the cosmetology industry. It is one of the good ways of earning good money while doing what you really like. I hope more becomes more inspired because of her story.

 
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