Thanks Mom.

I have the most amazing mom. I think most people think this about their own mother, which is great, but seriously, if there were a contest for this sort of thing, I'm pretty sure I would win. My mom is the most sincere and kind soul you could ever meet and she has a way of touching people's lives when they meet her. She is the most beautiful person I have ever met, inside and out. She is incredibly smart with a wonderful sense of humor, often displayed in the numerous inside jokes we share. She is sweet and polite and respectful. She makes a mean pie, as explained here, and always managed to keep a clean house (and by clean, I mean you could eat of the bathroom floor) and a weed-free garden while raising four hellions kids. She has always been my best friend and my biggest supporter (even when I wanted to move thousands of miles away. Sorry! I'm moving west soon enough!) She is a million and a half other things, but I don't want to bore you with a 13 page list describing her awesomeness.

 The whole family last Christmas

Sev and my mom in Denver

Mom and Dad

My mom challenged all of us kids to live in a way that shows compassion for others. If we are even a fraction as good of a person as she is, I'd say she did a wonderful job. Now that all of us have grown up and moved out, my mom has taken her skills to a new role as the Director of the Youth Unit in a Mental Health hospital. To the hundreds of children and adolescents that come to her hospital each year, many scarred by abuse or trauma, she is a mother, and a nurse, and a therapist, and an advocate, and I can't think of a better person for that job. I am always amazed at how kids are so at ease and comfortable with her, and while I've never actually seen her in action on the job, I have no doubt she is amazing (as shown by the numerous awards she has won...sorry Mom, I had to brag for you.)

Before an event during college

So mom, I'm sure I've probably said thanks for being so great a thousand times before, but I really mean it this time. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for teaching me kindness and compassion. And for making me laugh and cry. And for making me laugh so hard I cry. Thanks for teaching me to cook, and clean, and write a proper thank you note. Thanks for passing down your sense of style (but I am NOT thanking you for passing down your addiction expensive shoes and handbags.) Thanks for giving me a strong work ethic and for never letting me settle for less than I deserve. Thanks for always giving great advice (from both the therapist and the mom perspective). Thanks for teaching me that men who drive monster trucks around town have little you-know-whats. Thanks for coming to my soccer games, and cross country meets, and swim meets, and play performances, and for hauling me to all the practices in between. Thanks for introducing me to Joni Mitchell and John Irving and Robert Redford. Thanks for tucking me in at night and for going back down to the kitchen to get me a glass of water when I was thirsty. Thanks for sharing your love of good books with me. Thanks for your pancakes. Thanks for my brothers, who really suck sometimes, but are pretty amazing the majority of the time. Thanks for marrying dad. He's pretty cool too. Thanks for taking care of me when I was sick or heartbroken, or lonely. Thanks for giving me the courage to follow my dreams. Mostly, thanks for being you.

I'm so glad I get to spend Mother's Day with you!

Alright readers, now go tell your own mum thanks for everything she has done for you.