Ya, that’s me on the right. Rockin’ that side ponytail. Cut me some slack–it was after all the eighties. That’s my mom and dad, and my big sis and my little brother. At the time–back in the day, it all seemed really normal–ya know, that my mom would wake us up in the morning singing songs like Rise and Shine and Give God Your Glory, Glory and have a hot breakfast ready for us–usually some inventive combo of eggs plus whatever we had for dinner the night before. Our equally inventive lunches would be packed for school–usually containing something made of carob that she was trying to pass off as chocolate, a crazy sandwich with last night’s salad and some kinda smoked turkey smooshed between two slices of whole-wheat, and whatever fruit was in-season. She’d then make sure we were all washed and ready, and take us to school. Then she would go to work where her and my dad ran a school for mentally disabled teenage girls, and deal with that all day, until she got home from work and helped us with our homework, cooked dinner that we all sat around the tables and ate together and talked and so on and so on, for like the next 15 years.
Now I understand why she loved coffee so much.
Now, a soon-to-be mom myself, I marvel at all that she is able to fit into one day: cooking delicious meals for 20 with a certain nonchalance, writing research papers that get published in crazy university presses and scientific journals, running groups and teaching, mentoring countless students, being an extrodinarily attentive and loving mother, and now grandmother, wife and daughter. It actually trips me out.
I am so lucky to have had such an amazing example of a mother who somehow fits it all in. Now if I could just figure out how to do half of the stuff she was able to do in a day, and if I can make my daughter feel as special and as loved as she has always made me feel, I will feel really great about myself.
I love you mom.
Happy Mother’s day.
And a very happy Mothers Day to all of the mothers around the world. Your sons and daughters love you more than anything.
What a beautiful tribute. :)
Go moms! I smiled when I read the “….for like the next 15 years” part. Seriously. I admire my mom’s stamina too!
Love it! Crazy how when you become a mom, your own mother amazes you even more than she already did :)
Happy mother’s day, with your ‘boomba’-full belly :)
amaaazing!! (& love the picture of you & your family.) now i know why you have such an amazing spirit. you are going to be an amazing mom without a doubt. :)
Beautiful picture, and what a wonderful tribute to your Mum! Very moving…
And congratulations to the soon-to-be Mamma!
Your words made me rush with a fire and reminded me to strive to be like my own mother. I want to be like your and my mother for my two little ninjas. Inspiring, caring, warm, alive, and happy. I’m pregnant with my second babe and finding your blog/world has re-inspired me to stay cool and be true. I love Justina. ;) And your crazy cute boomba, too!
so happy to provide you with a bit of inspiration–all my warmest and most cuddly wishes to you and your boomba!!