The Third Prayer

Tomorrow is my mom’s 58th birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!  I could say that I’ve always been close with my mom but I think that isn’t necessary true.  Becoming a mother myself has made me closer to her.  I’ve always loved my mom and had a great respect for what she did for us growing up.  But now, as a mother myself, that level of respect has only soared.  I realize now the daily sacrifice she made for us kids, sacrifices that were not spoken of but became a part of life.  Sacrifices that any good mom would do for her children.  But when you are a child, you can’t fully grasp it.  And then you become a parent yourself and you realize how selfish you had been all those years.

 

So thank you mom, for everything.  The many, many, sleepless nights.  The months of dealing with teething symptoms, with three kids.  The many times you probably gave us your dinner because we weren’t eating our own.  Diaper change after diaper change after diaper change.  Another diaper change.  Washing clothes over and over again.  Changing our clothes over and over again.  All the little things that seemed so mundane but were an important part of the day.

Last year my mom taught me how to sew and now I’m building sewing into a nice little hobby.  I’m so thankful for learning to sew because it gives me something to do while Mary Rene is sleeping besides watch tv or play on the computer.  I get to use my creative side and get something accomplished.  Sewing is great!

But I’ve learned so much more than sewing from my mom.  Without even trying, my mom has taught me a lot about marriage.

My mom and dad are ying and yang and they tell each other everything.  Sometimes I’ll tell her “don’t tell dad,” but she does anyway.  Because, you tell your spouse everything, no secrets.  I’ve implemented that into my own life and it has become very important in establishing trust.  She also taught me, “make your husband think that it was his idea” when you want something.  She is really good at this game and always finds a way to get her way without my dad realizing she is.  I’m still trying to learn how to do that and hopefully someday I will be as clever as her.

My mom loves being a grandma and looks forward to seeing her little pumpkin every chance she gets.  When I pull up in my parent’s driveway my mom usually comes out to greet us.  Mary Rene’s face lights up and she starts laughing and waving when she sees my mom.  My mom and her laugh really good together with their special little games they play.

Mary Rene is spoiled to say the least.  Even though my mom lost her jobs months ago she is still buying Mary Rene gifts like a working woman.  I keep telling her to save her money, but she insist, “it is my granddaughter and I want her to have it.”  Mary Rene is taking grandma’s side on that one.  She loves going to grandma’s house and seeing the new snack or toy that grandma and grandpa got her. 

But my mom doesn’t just shower Mary Rene with love and gifts.  She does the same to me…and others.  Every time I tell my mom that one of my friends is pregnant she whips up a baby afghan in a heartbeat.  When I mentioned that my friend wanted to learn to sew, she quickly offered to show her.  She always has Frank’s favorite soda and beer at the house when we come over.  She gives her heart to everyone.

I hope someday these are qualities that Mary Rene sees in her grandma and falls in love with as well.  And I hope someday these are qualities that I can take from my mom as well.

Happy Birthday Mom!

This entry was posted on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 9:26 am and is filed under Family, Frank & Marriage, Mary Rene, Sewing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.