Raspberry Iced M

In keeping with yesterday’s theme, below is a short list of ways that I realize how awesome my mom is.

1. She understood the value of education. I moved in with her the day after I graduated from high school, I moved in with her, which was kind of a spontaneous thing. And six weeks later, I was fully enrolled in college. Mama spent a long time filling out FAFSA forms and making sure my first semester was set up. All I had to do was pick my classes.
2. She has not judged my worst mistakes. Mama has seen me deal with some really terrible situations because of my own awful choices. Not once has she judged me or put me off. She meets me where I am when my life is falling apart, and she provides clarity when I need it the most.
3. She supported me fully after I gave birth for the first time. I remember being 19 and post partum. I called her crying because I had no idea what I was doing. Without hesitation, she got in her car and drove to my house, and let me take a shower while she put the baby to sleep. I remember feeling incompetent at the time – because she was able to handle it with such ease – but I was also very grateful for that support. I still am.
4. She forgives without reservation. I held a grudge against my mom for a long time. I didn’t understand some of her decisions when I was young. I had a lot of things to say about what it meant to be an adult – to be a mom – having lived through none of it. Now that I’m older, with kids of my own, I see how hard it is. And I have had to apologize to her for being so judgmental…for being so bitter and ignorant. And without pause, she greeted me with hugs and acceptance.
5. She (and my stepdad) bought my first “me” car. I drove Daddy’s van in high school – back and forth to work and to afterschool stuff (like band). Before I started college, as a high school graduation present, Mama and my stepdad bought me a car – a 1997 Honda Civic. Tiny little zippy thing. White. Manual shift. I drove the wheels off of that thing.
6. She is the most fun person to watch basketball with. We are both University of Kentucky fans, and as such, we have bonded over basketball. I don’t do it as much as I should anymore, but I used to go to her house weekly to watch the game and eat junk food.
7. She taught me how to do my nails on the cheap. I know that might seem silly, but now that girlies can’t walk out of a nail salon for less than about $75.00, I genuinely appreciate Mama for showing me how to make a Dollar Store set look like the real thing.
8. She gave me a place to stay when I wasn’t doing well. At one point in my life, my decisions had put me in a terrible place. I was homeless, jobless, and “schmuicidal.” She had little girls at the time, too, but she still took me in and helped me get back on my feet. I don’t know that I’d be where I am today if she hadn’t made that sacrifice.
9. She has walked with me while navigating my husband’s illness. She’s been to MRIs, biopsies, and doctor’s appointments so that I could work. She’s researched and educated herself so that she stays informed about his illness, his treatment plan, and his prognoses. Cancer – dealing with it – can be very isolating, and I’m so blessed to have her with me while we try to navigate things we do not know.
10. She compliments my food. I’m not much of a cook, but when I do cook for her – even if it’s just, like, a dip – she always makes a point to tell me how yummy it is. As there are so many amazing cooks in my family, I am definitely insecure about my limitations in this regard, so it is nice of her to take the time to express appreciation for what little I can do.

I reserve the right to edit/add on to this list as needed.