In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to share with you about the amazing women in my life. Some are still with us, others have passed but are still a very big part of who I am today.
I was blessed to know 2 of my great grandmothers. One I only met a few times that I can remember but I remember that she loved me very much. The other, I spent quite a bit of my childhood summers with every year. I remember she always wore an apron out to the garden and in this apron she always had a paring knife and a salt shaker. My cousins and I would sit under the apple tree next to the garden and she would cut cucumbers and salt them for us. I remember stringing beans and eating tomato sandwiches standing over the kitchen sink. She taught me that family was the most important thing in the world, even if you don’t see them much!
My great aunt lived next door to my great grandmother so I spent quite a bit of time with her too. She taught me that age is only a number and you can stay 18 until you’re old enough for the senior citizen discount. =) She had a collection of miniature perfume bottles that I loved to play with. She is also where I got my love of pigs. Her collection is now housed in my dining room. Treasures.
I have been very blessed to have both grandmothers alive most of my life, this far. My mothers mother is where I learned my love of shopping. And, she must be a saint to put up with my grandfather as long as she has, over 50 years! My father’s mother is who I learned to love food from. She passed away just a few years ago, she and I went a long time without speaking after my parents divorced but the last time I saw her I believe we had a healing with no words (she had a stroke and was unable to communicate verbally). She used to make the best chocolate dumplings. She cooked on a wood stove for most of my childhood. She also encouraged creativity and doing things the right way, even if that was the hard way.
I have many aunts and cousins that have ment the world to me. My mother’s sisters are or were in the medical field, along with my mother and several cousins also. They taught me compassion, a joy for caring and the reward of service to others. I think this is why I excelled in my careers in the medical field, both CNA and pharmacy work. My fathers sisters taught me different things from each of them. They are a very different group of women. The eldest sister forged my love of coffee and smoking. I can remember as a teen, 16 or 17, sitting with her on the porch of her house for hours drinking coffee, smoking and talking. She was the only family member that would let me smoke. The middle sister taught me what kind of man not to marry. She has suffered thru a terrible marriage and just can’t seem to shake him. The youngest sister showed me the love of Christ. I may not have taken in all the lessons but I have made a special bond with God because of His strength that I see in her.
My cousins, on my mother’s side, what can I say… sometimes we love to hate each other but when it comes down to it we would do anything in the world for each other. I was the baby for half of my childhood, so I got bullied but it made me stronger I believe. On my father’s side, I really didn’t spend that much time with any of my female cousins because everyone was grown, except Staci and she lived far away for most of my childhood. But, as a teen, she shared with me her knowledge of history, books, art and God.
I have had surrogate mothers all of my life too. Friends of my mother, who we spent lots of time with. There is Beth, she is as much my mother as my mom is! She and her boys and my mom and me spent lots of time together when our dads were gone for military stuff. It’s funny because we were in NE together and now they live in NC also. There is Cindy, who has played mediator between mom and me, when dad left. She taught me what is most important in my life, the love of my mom! There have been several more, each imparting their wisdom’s to me and I am truly thankful.
I am blessed to have many women whom I do not know in person via the internet. Most I have met on Facebook. Some are fellow MSers others are game friends, some both. They each have their own way of encouraging me, to get up, to write, to listen and to love out loud. I am eternally grateful for their friendships.
Then there is Jenn. She has calmed me down. Showed me unconditional love and devotion. I honestly don’t know where I would be without her. She is my best friend, my confidant and partner. I feel like she has gotten cheated with me having MS but she says that doesn’t matter to her.
Then last, but most definitely not least, There’s my mom! She has been my rock when I am on sinking sand. We have fought many battles but she is always there in the end. I can count on her, rely on her, depend on her. I owe her my life. She has made me the woman I am today. She is the most amazing woman I know.
I know I have left out a lot of people, but don’t take it personal, its 330 in the morning and my inspiration is disappearing fast. I love all the women in my life, I am blessed to have you as mother, sisters, aunts, cousins and friends.
Happy Mother’s Day all you Amazing Women!! You are appreciated and loved, not only today but ALWAYS!!
