Dear Mom....

Dear Mom,

Do you know how much you mean to me?  I wonder.  Do you know growing up I wanted to be a mom because you were such a great one?  When I was little you took me to baton lessons, t-ball games, and countless piano lessons.  You found time to, not only take me to girl scouts, but actually lead our troop. We didn’t have a sissy troop either.  Sure, we did sewing projects. We also camped out in a swamp with 12 kinds of poisonous snakes and alligators.  You also found time to get me to piano lessons!  I never remember not having a birthday party when I was little.  You worked a more than full time job and always found time to volunteer in my class.  Even though you were terrified of water, you signed me up for swimming lessons and allowed me to learn to water ski.  During all of this, you always seemed to get me to piano lessons on time.

My teenage years were a breeze.  I was always respectful and well behaved.  I never pushed the envelope or tried to cross the boundaries you set for me.  I always practiced for my piano lessons.  I never dated boys with earrings or long hair.  You were very lucky.  I hear other mom’s have a much harder time with their teenage daughters!  (Okay, we will compromise and say it could have been worse.   Hey, do you think either of us would have survived if it were worse? (: )

 I see now the rules you set for me weren’t to cramp my style.  You wanted to keep me safe.  I get it now.  I love that about you.  I also love you always included my friends in everything we did.  Some of them practically lived with us.   You encouraged my talents.  You were at every vocal concert. You listened to me rehearse all of my music for hours on end.  You were honest.  You didn’t just tell me it sounded good.  You told me what to work on.  Then, you listened to me practice again for hours.  (Most parents would have just said it sounded great the first time just to shut me up!)  I may not have gotten every new fashion trend, but I always got everything I needed. You made sure I went on every school and church trip.  (Remember the 11 states choir tour?)   You also made sure I got to every piano lesson.   

You have given me strength, mom.  When I didn’t have enough of my own, you gave me yours.  When we found out Tyler was going to be born with Down Syndrome, you were amazing.  You turned into research lady and helped me find out everything I could on it.  You also defended me against those who were pushing me to choose other options.   You were there when he was born, there when he was three and we almost lost him, and still here now when I am now dealing with the wonderful pre-teen years myself.  Logan and Joe think the sun rises and sets with Grandma.  I love they feel they can confide in you.  You are a wonderful grandma.  

I love you, mom!  I hope I can be half as good a mom to my boys as you have been to me.  Oh, and 12 years of piano lessons and I can play a heartfelt rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Good try, Mom.  Good try.