Ode to My Mammy-faise

Have I mentioned how much I love my mother?

Honestly, I'm so darn lucky. My mom was always around when I was little; she worked while I was at school and was done around the time I got home. I remember her walking me to school when I was in kindergarten, having me turn my little pigeon-toed feet out so I wouldn't trip and turning it into a game. She's made me numerous Halloween costumes and Easter dresses that were wonderful. Even an under-appreciated Easter shirt and short set that I now remember quite fondly.

My mom has been my Girl Scout leader or assistant leader, has gone on numerous trips. She's started pillow fights and been deemed awesome by my friends (I agree). She's chaperoned and taken part in crazy conventions and beaten the whole family in a Bust-A-Move tournament.

My mommy has read numerous books to me, either with me snuggled right beside her, or while I did the dishes and listened. She's taught me how to needlepoint, decoupage, and helped with my piano practice, and has been patient with me when I haven't been patient with myself or have gotten frustrated.

I've had wonderful adventures with my mom, in this country and another and shared inside jokes with her. We reminisce and joke of getting lost, directions, Miffy, and unseen chain draggers. We've shared lunches at Fujiyama and crepes on the square. We've exchanged emails or instant messages when I've been away from home and she sends some wonderful care packages.

My mom has been the troll under the bridge to my Billy Goats Gruff, every time I asked her to, and yet she still took me to the park to play, though she knew that request was inevitable. We hunt for suitable river rocks together and she helped encourage my interest in botany, teaching me to recognize various plants and what the difference between an annual and a perennial is.

My mommy has calmed me down or simply listened to me countless times when all I could do was cry. She tucked me in and sang me a lullaby every night for years. She's never pressured me to do anything or try anything I didn't want to (except maybe food) and only asks that I do my best and take care of myself. She's offered herself as an excuse or a way out in times that I'm afraid to take the responsibility myself.

I've been lucky enough to have my mother to myself in a house full of boys, where we could bond over the lack of a Y chromosome. I'm blessed to have a mother who I know without a doubt loves me. I love spending time with her and I can honestly talk to her about everything in my life.

I love my mommy so so much and I hope that I can be as good a mom as she is. Thank you for everything, Mommy! I love you!