Mom

Truly, I was avoiding this entry like a plague. When I think about my mother, what she meant to me for years and what she will always mean to me, it conjures sensations that are indescribable and quite impossible to compartmentalize. Then I realized that there is nothing that I wish more than for people to know her. I cannot bring her back, but I can share her memory. Sometimes that is all I need. If it is alright, I would like to speak of her in present tense...as I remember her...

My mom is insane. She is one of those mothers that will make everyone feel comfortable, significant, accepted, loved, funny, genuine, because that is who she is. She has friends of all ages as she is capable of relating to anyone at any given time. She is loud, obnoxious, hilarious, fun, creative, artistic, and real. Her wisdom, encouragement, strength, and teaching will last my lifetime and beyond. She is a spiritual warrior, mentor, and knows Scripture like the back of her hand. In no way, shape or form is she perfect, but she truly tries to do her best.

She is a wonderful storyteller and like any other insane mother, she takes sheer delight in making those around her laugh, especially at their expense. She is one of the kids, yet is not afraid to be the bad guy.

She cooks and bakes everything from scratch. She packed lunches (awesome lunches) for the four children and my dad every morning. If she had just made her famous chocolate chip cookies she would send too many for one child because she knew we would be handing them out to our friends; however, I am convinced that Jeff ate them all. When we were young, she would bake homemade honey wheat bread after midnight and intentionally wake us up when it came out of the oven so we too could enjoy the warm, fresh, honey goodness.

She loves Calvin & Hobbes cartoons and most likely because she is Calvin at heart. She can potty train any child in a week flat. She has never purchased a dishwasher because she already has five. She is the glue, core, and life of my family as well as our extended family. Her passion for life is contagious. She is not ashamed of who she is.

Mom does not allow opportunity to pass her without notice. She tackles any task, dream, desire that comes her way. She loves adventure as the unknown intrigues her.

She likes maps. She loves cobalt blue and in the 80s predicted that yellow would be back in style one day. For as long as I can remember her bedroom has been yellow.

She is a bear when she has a migraine!

She has a sick, twisted sense of humor that has developed in each one of her children (and even their spouses) – including an affinity for being on time, camping, CSPAN, Rush, reading, and relationships.

In one weekend she and I recalled over 300 cliches. One of my favorites: “Slicker than snot on a doorknob.” Ones she uses on a regular basis: “The Nardoni bus is leaving!!”, “Let’s blow this popsicle stand”, and “You are slower than molasses.”

She has always pushed me to my potential and expects nothing less. She has taught me what is important in life and has allowed me to fly. I hope that one day I can be half the mother she is.

I only wish you could have met her.