As Mother's Day approaches once again, I feel compelled to tell you about my mother. My mom in words...fun, funny, loving, gentle, kind, wise, cute, strong, friendly, optimistic...I could go on and on. If you know my mom, you would probably agree and if you didn't, well, them's is fighting words! I realize often just how big a part of my life that my mother is (especially when she calls me today concerned b/c she hasn't heard from me since Wednesday night - and don't get my sister started...she teases me often that I call them way too much.) The fact of the matter is that I don't call my mom every day or every other day because I need to...I call her often because my heart desires to share with her all it has that day. My mother is the most wonderful role model of what it is to be a mother and I give her so much credit for making me the mother I am today. I don't think women really can appreciate their mothers to the fullest until they have children. As a mother myself, I can look back now and see when my heart ached, hers ached more and when I experienced joy, she shared it with me more than anyone else. My mother is the woman/wife/mother I aspire to be every day...cliche'? Sure. But true nonetheless. So mom, when you read this, know that I love you and I thank you for my addiction to treats and soda, loving to take road trips with me, being the strong but loving disciplinarian you were, listening to all of my silly rants, being my eternal optimist (right alongside Beau) and my biggest cheerleader, giving me honest advice, praying with me, being my audience when I so often wanted one and being the encourager and mother every girl should be so blessed to have. Happy Mommy's Day!