Mother Knows Best - Shirley Duckworth

After conceptualizing this random idea to write a blog on the 35 women who have helped to make me who I am there was no doubt that mom would be featured at #1. Yes, indeed she is my best friend, was the maid of honor at my wedding, she is the first person I call when I’m down and the very definition of unconditional love.

So, if I think I’m having a hard idea adjusting to the idea of being 35 no doubt she is too.. Me, her baby how did this happen?
Mom, I don’t know either.

I could probably write an entire blog on all the things my mom did, does and will do to always be the “Mom of the Year!” Here is a sampling of what I celebrate that she taught me as I turn 35.

• Moment’s I’ll never forget coming home to your chocolate chip cookies after school. The cookies diligently cooling on brown paper sacks. I’m pretty sure this is where I get my love of baking.
• Raking leaves with you… what seemed like every day of fall. Perhaps this is why each year the change of leaves makes me draw near to you
• “Mental health days” when you’d maybe, just maybe write a note saying I had a doctor’s appointment and instead we had an appointment at the mall. I can’t wait to share this tradition with my kids someday.
• Loosing us at Kmart (always a family favorite at holiday dinners). Yeah, maybe I’ll skip this one and not lose my kid while shopping. Umm… A girl can dream.
• Puerto Rico – Alpha Phi Convention where I had you initiated as a sister. You never were able to go to college, you gave up so many dreams I’ll never even know for me. It was such a touching day to watch you in your white dress get your sorority pin and know if even for a moment you were a “college girl” at heart. Aoe, mom aoe.
• You driving me to cello practice, early morning ski camp wake up calls and more although I’m still pretty sure you were glad when I gave it up. Now that I look back on all the random dance camps, music camps, science fairs and more. I simply ask how you would do it. I know the drive I have to help kids comes from the love you poured into me and my brother.
• The day you came over, held my hand as I called divorce lawyers. Neither of us knew what we were doing and we did it together.
• Christmas decorations, holiday lights and family gathered around the Christmas Tree. I’ll never forget the traditionally photos of us with our stockings gathered around the holiday tree. You always taught us the importance of family, of giving and the holidays.
• College drop off day when both of us cried.. and I was less than 45 minutes away. College graduation day when you and dad were so proud. You always taught me that there was more beyond high school and I should go after it.
• August 2009 when you dropped me off at the airport on my way to Sweden. You didn’t like it, you knew it was far away and you did it anyway.
  

So many memories, so little time!

Mom, you created the light in me. You nourish it and fan the flame. Each and every random dream I dream you are there on the side lines, driving me to the airport, sitting in the audience, getting up early or staying up late. I am who I am because of your love. Here’s to the next adventure! I love you!