Happy Birthday to the Woman Who Labored Me

Happy Birthday Mom!


My mom turns 45 today. No really, flip those numbers, but she looks 45 minus the gray hairs that she most likely got from raising me. I would credit the rest of the kids (4 of them) but I think I was the biggest handful. I was:

1. The first child pushed from her hooha.
2. The kid who would not take a binky.
3. The child who could call cattle (like her great-grandfather) from a mile away.
4. The kid who would sit at the top of the stairs and scream until she carried me to bed EVERY NIGHT.
5. The child who would pull her pillow and blanket into the parents room and sleep on the floor next to mom's side of the bed, blocking any access out of her side of bed.
6. The child who tested her and pushed her in every way possible.

My mother is kind, caring to a fault, can empathize like noone I know, works hard, has values and principles, is respectful of people who are different than her, is incredibly affectionate, and is someone who I look up to daily. She is the one person I can always count on to be there. She will listen to me, and talk to me about anything, even if we both know we will never agree. I am happy that the things I got from my mom are her curly hair, her face and skin, her body type, her committment to loved ones, her loving and affectionate ways, and her passion for thinking about and helping other people. She is my best friend.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday mom! I love you!