Mother's Day

I have been planning to write some blog posts about the artists in my family and ending with a grand finale of my mom, who, despite her modesty and lack of venues to apply her talents, is really pretty artistic.  (If you've known my mom very long, you know where I get my mad skills, right, Teresa?)  However, I have not gotten to those posts so I will just take this opportunity to tell you about my mom in general.  I don't want to get too mushy but I think you'll see how great she is without me having to go too far in that direction. 

My mom has played the piano for many more years than I've been alive, and taught me to play.  From the age of about four until I was old enough to join the band at school, and switched to flute, my mom gave me piano lessons.  In junior high, I had a teacher who also happened to be the school choir director.  When she found out my mom played piano, she asked if my mom would play for the choir when they performed in concerts, and my mom did that.  I don'tknow that she got paid for that, and she didn't even have any kids in the choirs. 

My mom draws really neat stuff with pastels.  I remember one time in church, while my dad preached, my mom drew a picture of what he was talking about and at the end of the sermon she had a finished illustration.  She drew it right there in front of a live audience.  And that picture hung in his study for many years.  I don't think she's ever gotten paid for any of the stuff she's drawn or painted, she just does it for fun. 

My mom makes fresh bread, prom dresses, wedding veils and curtains.  My mom did not pick out a single detail of my wedding.  Or my sister's.  She might have nudged a teensy bit, but she let us plan our own weddings and do exactly what we wanted. 

My mom is a gracious hostess.  I can't remember my parents ever saying no to someone at the door.  I can't say my house is always as clean and welcoming as the home I grew up in, but I try to tell people to just stop by.  Growing up, I thought that everyone just had people show up at the door.  I found at as an adult that a lot of people don't like that!  My mom is also a gracious guest.  She never complains about the bed, the food, the noise.  She's just happy to visit. 

My mom is a crocheter, and has crocheted beautiful blankets for all of my boys.  When she realized the big holes in the lacey blanket she'd made for my second baby were catching his little toes, she crocheted him another one.  My kids love the blankets that Nana made them, and grab them whenever they see them in the clean laundry.  I try to rotate them out now and then to save wear and tear, but I know she doesn't mind if they're used. 

If you read that last chapter in Proverbs about a virtuous woman, that's my mom.  She's prepared; she's got lots of food in the house in case people stop by.  She's humble and giving and loving.  I know she has had her share of hurt and tragedy but she chooses to look at the bright side of life, almost all of the time. 

My mom will drive ten hours one way to paint a nursery for her granddaughter-to-be.  My mom loves daisies and roses.  My mom LOVES handknit socks, and tells everyone she knows about the wonderful socks her daughter makes.  Then she will write a thank you note about how wonderful they are to the daughter.   And she faithfully reads her daughter's blog, and is a regular commentor.  Top that! 

I could go on and on but I think you're getting the picture!  I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day.  If your mom is gone, if you're a mom and your kids don't appreciate you, that's okay.  It's still a day you're alive.  Enjoy it! 

Thanks Mom.