“Everything I am, you helped me to be”
I consider myself incredibly lucky that I can confidently say that all of my favorite childhood memories involve my mother. Saturday mornings included library book readings and stops at the local Busy Bee Bakery. The soundtrack to every car ride included Fleetwood Mac or Phil Collins loudly on cassette tapes. Sleepovers with my girlfriends always ended with running up the stairs from the basement to the smell of her incredible french toast and bacon. I will be forever thankful that she made herself present in every aspect of my life growing up.
While every day as a child was filled with comfort, love, laughs, and the greatest hugs anyone could imagine, I think my relationship with my mom as a young woman is dearest to me. Anyone that knows the infamous Patti, knows she is special. Though I don’t know I could ever convey in words just HOW special she is. After my Dad passed away in 2004, I watched her devote all her time and energy into making sure her pre-teen daughter had every single thing she could have ever needed and wanted. She became Superwoman and the best role model any daughter could have ever asked for.
Her concern for others, ability to overcome any and every obstacle thrown at her, and infectious ‘wheeze laugh’ when she or my Uncle Mike say something hilarious, are my absolute favorite things about her (as much as I hate to admit it – I also really enjoy her crude hospital humor). To this day, my favorite part of each day is hearing her call me’ Bunny’ on the other end of the phone- followed by something hilarious about a crazy patient she had at work.
For as long as I can remember Mom has told me, “If I could give you half of the happiness I had as a child, I am doing a good job”. I will never be able to properly thank my mom for the life that she gave me but I want to spend each day trying. She is my biggest cheerleader, confidant, and best friend. She has taught me true kindness and compassion, how find a reason to laugh when it’s difficult to find one, how to be a good wife (and one day, a mother), the important in teasing my hair, and the joy of making sure a Starbucks Barista knows me by name.
Mother’s Day may be special to her and all of the moms out there, but it’s special to me too because I certainly have the greatest one there is.
Happiest of Mother’s Day to all of the mama’s out there. I hope your day is filled with love and being surrounded by your favorite people!
