Somehow, I am more than a week late for my mom's birthday post!
My mom is perfect, just the right mom for me. She is so much of what I want to become.
There isn't a rubric telling you the right way to take the news that your son has cancer and then all the trials that follow. That type of thing only happens in a parent's nightmare, a nightmare that became a reality for my mom and dad. I will never forget how amazing they were through everything. They were so strong and such an example to everyone following Porter's story. Mom stayed with Porter every night. We all tried to have a turn spending the night, but somehow it always was mom. She would tell me from time to time that Porter was too embarrassed to admit that he didn't want to be sick with anyone else, that he needed his mom, but I get it. No one can tickle your back until you fall asleep like mom. Just having her there makes you feel better. I also think that mom wanted to spend the night with him more than she let on.
My mom feels a lot with her heart, just like I do. She hates to see us hurt and sometimes it frustrates her when she can't fix our broken hearts. She is fiercely loyal to her family. She has taught us to work hard and supported us in all our goals. She has always been my cheerleader - even at high school swim meets (quite possibly the most boring spectating event there is). She is always proud of her kids and always wants to take care of us. She is selfless, giving everything she has to us. I don't even think she realizes that she does it anymore. She loves my students and they love her.
She is my rock - the one I call in every situation.
Once upon a time, I got put on the wait list for the Special Education program at BYU. I was more than devastated. I remember opening that letter and just sobbing. I spent a few hours in the library trying to collect myself. My poor mom. I called her pretty much telling her my world was over. That if I couldn't get into the program I was going to drop out of school because I could just be an aide and work with my kids that way. She was brokenhearted for me, but knew I needed to pick myself up and keep trying. She tried to get me to look at other majors that would allow me to work with my students. I was being stubborn (as usual) and frustrated that she didn't understand - no other program would work. I told her that she didn't get it and then I could hear her crying, telling me that it was so hard for her to be this far away from me when I was in such pain. I never wanted a mom hug so bad.
Plus, my mom is hilarious. My favorite is when she laughs at herself. She can do the jerk and sometimes gets which is your temple and which is your foreheard switched around. She supports loves spontaneous dance parties and tries to teach us how to dance before dad does. She raised us with alien and ghost talk - something I love! She taught me not to take life too seriously, a lesson I really needed in college.
Mom,
Thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you for the life lessons you have taught me. I love that I get to see you whenever I want and never have to go to Target alone. You are my example. You get me through all my tough moments, all the heartbreak and stress. You put up with my "diva" and I am so grateful for that.
I love you with all my heart!
xoxo
