Mother's Day 2013

Mother' Day is always a big deal for me. Probably because I lost my Mom before I was ever able to really do something nice for her. An because, well, Mom's are awesome.

This year I got to go all out for Kris and make the day very special for her. I also got to make it special for just about every Mom I know without really trying.

I was thinking about my Mom and my Step-Mom's and my Mother-In-Laws and so I just decided to mention my thoughts and, well, I ended up including a whole lot of Mom's and well, from their responses I guess I made everyone's day by accident.

Here's what I wrote:

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's in my life, particularly the women who have been a mother to me in the absence of my own and have always been a part of my life (Beverly, Diana, Donna) and Kris' Mom Arlene and Dana's Mom Darlene who have been a blessing in my life while failing to provide material for mother-in-law jokes! :)

Happy Mother's Day also especially to the women who are the Mother's of
the children I claim as my own, whether they are or not. I know how hard each of
you work to be the best Mom's our children can have. How much you love them,
nurture them, try to make them happy and how ragged you're willing to run
yourselves when they have things they need you for. All of you take this one day
of the year to just relax. You've earned it. If the kids need anything they can
ask, call or text me :) Thank you for the inspiration you give me in parenting.
It is a joy to me that we're on the same team with the kids and work together on
them when we need to.

I also wish a Super Fantastic Happy Mother's Day to my sisters Crystal
and Angie and Connie and my sister-in-law Connie (Todd)who are incredible
mothers to their children and any other children you put in their presence! In
the past while you guys have had a big influence on me developing my own
parenting skills. I've always been a little jealous watching you and seeing how
great you are and how easy you make it look when it was so hard for me. Now it's
like I'm always striving to catch up with you guys and it keeps helping me
better & better. Thank you guys and you are dismissed for the day as well.
Relax!

 Since this is the first Mother's Day that has come around since you
bravely brought us back into each others lives, I want to wish a very special
Happy Mother's Day to my girl McKayla, the first of my kids to tackle
parenthood. You are an incredible mother against all odds and you have not
sacrificed your life for your child, nor your child for your life. You are so
level headed and strong and determined to be the best you can be. Since we're
all older I don't really get to see many small children any more, but when I
see Christian in person or in pictures, he just seems like the happiest, most
in love with Mom kid in the world and that is the testament to your success.
Happy Mother's Day McKayla! Christian said he'll do all the dishes today as
long as they're ones he can just throw in the garbage can since he can't reach
the sink to wash them! :)

 Finally to all my friends who are Mom's, Happy Mother's Day! You guys
are incredible and I get to learn little things from you too! Tammy , you are
the first of my childhood friends who I still knew and was in touch with when
your children were born. John, Sadie & T have given you some headaches here
and there, but they're all turning out great. Mostly because of you being an
awesome Mom and never giving up. In the process, you have taught them to be
great parents as well. It's funny, I can think back (WAY back) to sitting on our
front porch in Appleton and Randy popping up and stealing a kiss on you! Never
would have thought we'd be parents ourselves back then and certainly wouldn't
have thought that one day I would be your sons godfather! :) Happy Mother's
Day!

A couple of my friends who are Mom's have also been motherly to me when it was needed whether they're old enough to be my Mom or not and I want to say Happy Mother's Day especially to Karen, Tootie,  Sandi and Kristan. At one time or another all of you have been there for one thing or another when my other mothers weren’t available and I thank you for those times you helped me through! Especially you Kristan. You were the only thing I had to look forward to for that week and I’ll always remember you for that! I’ll remember you for other silliness too, but mostly for that! 
 
Last, but certainly not least, Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom and my
sister Toni. While you are no longer with us, you still continue to live in the
hearts and minds of your children and continue to influence us as parents.

I was the first in our family to have a child. Toni was the first to be
a Mom and parent and set an example for the rest of us.

My Mom, wow, the way my life used to be, when I lost you the only
“good” I could see in that was you would be able to help me stop the craziness
and turn around. Then I was disappointed because you were gone and apparently
couldn’t help me from heaven or wherever you are now because I couldn’t feel
anything.

Recently I have discovered you have been there all along. I can feel
you with me and I can see where you’ve been leading me to where I am today: In
my personal life, in my life as a parent, all of it. I find myself more and more
often telling Scotty stories about his Grandma he didn’t get to meet and I think
it’s awesome that he’s old enough to appreciate the stories because it helps
keep your memory alive for me. You would have loved him like you did Ian.
Actually I’m sure you do, and I’m sure you watch over them just like you do
Randy & I.

I remember you and I love you Mom. I’ve just barely, barely,barely got a memory of your voice left. I can just vaguely hear it. I never want to lose your voice because it helps so much to hear your voice in my mind saying the things I think you’d say if you were here. But even if I lose your voice I’ll still remember you and know what you’re saying. The blessing in being so deaf is being able to read lips. J And, while your voice is fading over the years, Toni’s is still loud & clear so you can always get her to get me if necessary! The image of you in my mind will never fade.

Some times I feel like I’ve got an Angel on each shoulder helping me
get to where I am today, and I’m grateful for the time we had
together.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s I know.

And that’ll about cover it!