Mom's Day Numero Uno

First photo of my momma and me - November 17, 1979

In the weeks leading up to my first Mother's Day, ironically, I was not thinking too much of myself.  My mind was directed more toward my own mother and the kind of mom she has been to me and my two brothers.  As soon as Caiden was born and I became a momma myself, I have had such a new appreciation to moms of all kinds... traditional family, single mother, working and stay-at-home mom, lots of kiddos, one kiddo, adopted kiddo.  But on the top of this list is the wonderful admiration I have of my own mom, Cathy Hawn.  In a word, she is AMAZING.  No joke.  No exaggeration.  

Christmas, 1979

She is an awesome cook, and my husband often asks if I will make (or learn to make) one of her dishes.  Clam chowder, lasagna, the best fried chicken with all the fixins, brownies, potato soup, enchiladas, strawberry shortcake... and the list goes on and on.  I have picked up on her knack for cooking, but I still cannot compete with her culinary greatness!  My mouth is watering right now...

Some fancy dancing.

She is an amazing teacher, both professionally and personally.  She has had many students - from 5th grade to college - who have thanked her and showed their appreciation for her knowledge, her patience, her fairness, her stickers on their tests (calculus, of course!), her passion for teaching.  She has also been such a great teacher to my brothers and myself, whether it be helping us with homework, teaching us how to ride a bike, playing the piano, time management, or just how to be patient and kind to others.  The art of sending prompt thank-you notes, writing letters on paper, and the joy in reading a good book.  The importance of a great hug.  And she is just so stinking smart!!!  She's got book smarts, as well as life smarts... a combo that is hard to come by these days. 

One of many photos my dad made us pose for.

She is determined and passionate and a hard-worker.  She had three kiddos and when Tim was in kindergarten, she decided to go back to school full-time to become a teacher.  She completed her undergrad and graduate work (with a 4.0, I might add), commuting over 1 hour each way, and would like to get her doctorate at some point as well.  I'll be the first to admit that going back to school as a "non-traditional" student for a second degree wasn't the easiest thing in the world, but I cannot imagine making that decision with three children at home.  She never takes the easy way out... on anything.  She makes most of her meals from scratch, has never given a test in class that she has given before (can you imagine making brand new tests for every class, every semester, for the past 20 years?!?!), and she would rather re-do hours of trim and crown molding in the Lake house than just let there be a blemish.

My Wedding -  March 29, 2008

She is a wonderful Christian role-model.  Did I love going to church Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and on Wednesdays every week growing up?  No.  But I appreciate having that regimen as a child, now in my adulthood.  We were exposed to all aspects of God through church, choir, youth group, as well as prayer at the dinner table and before bedtime, Bible stories, and consistent Christian virtues displayed in our home.  My mom loves God.  She is patient, kind, self-less, and has a servant's heart.  She goes above and beyond for anyone she knows.  She exudes love, she is LOVE, and she shows that love to her family and friends daily.  I do not think there is a person out there who could have anything negative to say about her character.  I love being able to begin some of those faith rituals with my son in my own home and hope that he grows to love the Lord like we were shown growing up. 

April 2011

As a new mom myself, my relationship with my own mother has deepened.  We share child-rearing tips, laugh with each other at the "old" and "new" way of doing things, and wonder how my generation ever survived sleeping on our tummies, eating food at 3 months of age, and riding in the car on someone's lap.  I appreciate not only what she did for us as children, but what she still does for us as adults.  I don't think there will ever be a day when she doesn't rub my feet when I have them on her lap, or when she doesn't send me a "just because" card, or when she doesn't make a quick weekend visit feel like a huge holiday.  We love spending time together, and I instantly feel a peace whenever she is around.  And I'll be the first to admit that as a teenager with so much angst (ha...), I VOWED to never be like my mom, but now I see myself doing and saying the same things that she did so many years ago.  And I am proud of those things and who I am becoming because it is like her.  

My beautiful Mom.

So, on Mother's Day, I wanted to not make the spotlight about being a mom myself, but to thank my own mother for being, well... just fabulous.  She is my mom, my friend, my confidante, my sounding board, my go-to for SOOOOOOO many things.  I love my mom so very much, and if I can someday be half (or a quarter) of the mom she was to us, I will feel like a success.  

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I love you!!!!