My Mother

Happy Mother's Day to my one and only Mom.  This post is a tribute to her and to thank her for being my mom and everything she has done for me in my life.  Thank you mom for carrying me for 9 months and giving birth to me (and 3 other children!).  I will never know the sacrifice your and your body made until I have children of my own.  When that day comes I hope I can be half the mother you were to me.  My mom worked very hard in the house and outside the house.  Not only did she work several days a week as a nurse she maintained a home.  For as long as I can remember we had a huge garden.  My mom spent countless hours out there to provide home grown, nurturing food to fill our bodies.  While I probably grumbled many a times about helping pull the weeds and snapping those green beans, I am thankful.  We always had a home cooked meal on the table even if my mom had to work that night.  My mom is a wonderful cook and I look forward to eating her home cooked food (especially the rolls) whenever we travel to Iowa. 

My mom supported me in all my endeavors throughout school.  She supported, encouraged, and sometimes nagged me about the piano.  Without that nagging to practice though, I wouldn't have accomplished what I did.  She made it to almost all of my cross country and track meets, cheering for me all the while.  I always had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Gatorade and a granola bar thanks to my mom.  She sat in the stands and iced my legs when my shin splints were so bad.  She held my hand while I cried as I found out I had compartment syndrome.  My mom always encouraged me to do my best at everything and work hard.  

Thanks to my mom for being the role model I needed to become the nurse I am today.  Thank you for supporting me through nursing school when things were really really hard.  One day my mom came over to our apartment and cleaned and did dishes so I could study for a test.  Thanks Mom.  She was the first person I called when I found out I passed my boards and the first person I called when I had my first patient death.  She celebrated with me and cried with me.  

My mom is strong and loving.  She loves her son in law like a son.  My mom has a heart for Christ.  

Thank you mom for being my mother.  Thank you for raising me to have a relationship with Christ.  We've had our differences but like dad always told me - we are more alike than different.  Thank you for loving me and showing me that love.  Happy Mother's Day Mom.