mom

Reason # 18 - I'm thankful for... mom.

Look at that smile. Happiness is... just standing here with mom.

So safe. So secure.

Life is good.

Of course she would have been much earlier in the month. But as per her request -her post comes on her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! I said - 'you want me to wait until the end of the month to post about you? But it will seem like I don't care! Or that you're not important!' I have a sneaking suspicion she wanted to be saved for last though. You know - save the best for last kind of thing...

I'm on to you mom.

just kidding... maybe.

I'm thankful for mom.

For how she is willing to drive almost 6 hours just to come visit for a day and a half.

For how she gets excited about the things I do. For how she is always interested in what I'm interested in.

For how she always calls me on her way home from work and then is willing to sit in the driveway and talk to me for another hour. (Even if it makes the cat and Jason think she's crazy.)

For how she sends me little emails in the mornings that always brighten my morning (and you know how hard that is to do).

For how she listens, really listens as I ramble on about whatever nonsense is going on in my life.

For how I have known every second in my life how much I am loved.

For how she believes that I can do anything I set my mind to. Even if I don't believe it.

No goal is out of reach. No idea is too crazy.

For how she makes me a little cocky - since I am always funny and intelligent to her.

For how she has always worked so hard so that I could have what I wanted or needed.

For how she's let me make my own mistakes (even if she was a smidge vocal about them not being good ideas at the time).

For how she let me know that coming home was always an option. That failing wasn't failing if I kept trying and moving on. That it is okay to make mistakes. And that it's okay to be wrong (you know...every now and then).

I'm thankful for how I know that she's there for me. Always.

Growing up - I just assumed that's what all moms were like.

Now that I know better - I realize how wonderful you've always been to us. I realize how lucky we are to have you as our mom. I appreciate all of the things you sacrificed and did for us (and still do for us).

I'm thankful you showed us what love is. What family is. What a real mom is.

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you!