My mom is a pretty incredible woman. She has probably had more influence on my life and on the woman I have become than any other person. Sometimes I feel a bit worried as I see myself becoming more like her, but for the most part its a good thing. When I was growing up I was always pretty close with my mom. Sure, we had our tears and slammed doors, like every young girl and her mom, but in spite of those things I always felt like my mom and I had a better-than-average relationship. I know she'll be reading this, so I won't say that she was always right about everything, but I guess she's a pretty smart lady. I've learned a lot from her, more than I could ever sit down and enumerate, but I'll hit the highlights for you.
1) How to persevere in spite of present difficulties. I feel like this was one of the overarching lessons of my childhood. From skinned knees to broken hearts to job hunting to panicky stressed filled finals weeks, my mom has always been there to remind me that, "this too shall pass." "Momma said there'll be days like this, there'll be days like this, my momma said..."
2) How not to take myself too seriously. This is definitely a lesson in progress. And it probably will always be. I'm a stubborn, proud woman, and its often difficult for me to even admit that I have made a mistake, nonetheless to be able to laugh about it.
3) How not to be afraid of hospitals and sickness. This is something I don't often think of, but since my mom has worked in the hospital almost my entire life, I've spent a lot of time in hospitals. Unlike most people, I rarely went to visit loved ones who were sick or dying, so hospitals have never had a dark scary feeling to me like they do for so many. However, when I did have a loved one who was sick in the hospital, I was able to watch my mom interact with them, and learn from her how to act around someone that's seriously ill. Some people never learn that.
4) How to cook. Though I'm pretty sure she has to share credit with the food network for this one. And I'm also pretty sure that she taught me this one out of ulterior motives. She figured once I knew how to cook, she would be off the hook for a while.
5) How to read, and enjoy it. This is another one which she needs to share credit for. This was definitely accomplished through the joint efforts of my mom and grandma, but its one of those things I'll always be thankful for. It has definitely made school much, much more bearable.
6) How to clean. I always took this for granted until this year. My first year of living in my own place, and I'm starting to see just how much of an art cleaning and organizing can be, and my mom definitely has it down.
There is so much more, but I have papers I should be writing.. like usual. So I guess I'd best get back to those. I love you, mom.
dawwwwww
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