It is now officially 12 am on May 8, 2011 and I have to give a shout out to all mom's everywhere. Now I know my mom is the best but that's because she's MY mom and from a journalistic standpoint, I'm completely biased. I had a journalism teacher who once said to question everything even when your mom says, "I love you."
I may not be a mom but I will never question a mother's love... ever. My mom is probably the least selfish person I know. If you think I'm generous, it's because my mom is ten times more generous. I will NEVER be as generous as her. Now she's not just generous with her money but generous with her love, time and everything else. So today's blog, fittingly... is about the important women in my life. These ladies are my heroes and are not all necessarily mom's but they still deserve recognition because I love them all and have made a huge impact on my life. So be prepared... it could be slightly emotional.
1. My mother: Obvious, I hope, but she is a very strong woman and much stronger than she truly realizes. She's battled depression her whole life and I've seen the ups and downs but when I was a kid she always fought to keep a strong face. She also raised 3 daughters (I swear I'm not bragging... ok maybe a little) who are awesome while working odd part-time jobs, keeping the house clean, and eventually going back to school full-time to become a nurse. She's been a RN for 3 years now and the day she graduated was one of the proudest moments of my life. My mom... the college graduate. So now both my parents are college grads and I know it makes my mom happy that she can provide for us in a way she couldn't before. The most important thing I learned from my mom is her generosity. She truly taught me you can never be too generous.
2. My grandmother: Again, obvious but my grandma is AWESOME!!!!!! I don't know her whole life story but from the odds and ends I put together, she is one TOUGH cookie. She's battled TB, age discrimination, a spinal fusion, a broken back, knee replacement surgery, and even a removal of her gall bladder. She is also the most kind-hearted person I know, who truly loves her family more than anything else and is willing to do anything for them. She is also a killer cook. She didn't graduate from college but she is one of the smartest people I know. She's even on Facebook! The one thing I admire about my grandma is the relationship she has with my grandfather. He's not related by blood but rather love and that's a bonder that can truly be stronger than blood. But they've been married almost 50 years (in June... holla!) and they still love each other. So I've learned from her how to love unconditionally even through the bad times (which can get pretty bad).
3. My Aunts: All wonderful, wonderful women! I will start with my Aunt Shari (since she's the youngest). My Aunt Shari was the biggest blessing during my four years at EIU. I definitely grew much closer to her spending time with her, my Uncle Terry and my two cousins during lazy weekends at her house. She shares a lot of the same traits as my grandma and is also EXTREMELY generous. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know and is probably the greatest math teacher ever. She let me come to work with her one day and her students really admire and respect her. She even lets the kids throw Barbies down the stairwell all in the name of math! She is also the best hostess I know. If she ever gets tired of letting people stay at her house, she doesn't show it. What I really admire is how much fun she has with her kids. She gets on the floor and plays with them and lets them be boys. She's very easy-going and mild mannered and I've never seen her angry (although I think it would be scary). So I've also learned how be to generous from her but that kids are supposed to be fun (and also challenging).
Next I shall talk about my Aunt Michelle. I consider my Aunt Michelle to be probably the most normal person in my entire family (which is a great thing). She's very practical but also likes to have fun like the rest of us. Like my mom, she also went back to school and got her bachelors and is now an elementary school teacher. Her and my mom went through school at the same time and talked a lot about their classes. I definitely admire her hard work and all the effort she put into getting her degree. I know it wasn't easy returning to school but she did it! She is also a fabulous hostess and helps out anyway she can. My Aunt Michelle is also very easy-going! From Aunt Michelle, I learned that structure isn't a bad thing and hard work really does pay off.
Last, I will talk about my Aunt Sandy. Now she's not a mom but she's a very strong, independent woman and deserves recognition. My Aunt Sandy is the MOST supportive person I know and perhaps one of the craziest (in a good way). My favorite memory of her is when we were young she was playing Little People with us and laughed insanely when one of us flew the airplane into the school house. I know I get my love for travel from her. She goes on awesome vacations every year and always told us stories at Christmas or 4th of July. I also kept every postcard she's ever sent me. It was (and still is) my goal to travel as much as she does. She's always been cheering for my sisters and I... telling us to pursue our dreams no matter what. The women in my family are very independent but perhaps Aunt Sandy most of all. She fought her own way to her dream and she is SO passionate about the work she does. If Aunt Sandy is going to do something, she doesn't let ANYONE stand in her way. From Aunt Sandy I learned to embrace independence (and I hope I have), don't be afraid to be your own person and don't let anyone tell you no.
There are so many other wonderful women in my life that I have to mention.
My aunts Jean, Judy and Caroline. There all so vibrant, full of joy and have wonderful senses of humor. I can't even begin to imagine life without them. From them, I learned that family is the most important thing.
My adopted moms: Liz Steber and Kathy Bradford. The saddest day of my college career was the day Kathy left Panther Dining. She is so bright and vivacious and probably the only reason I kept my sanity during my shifts at Taylor. She is incredibly hard working and ALWAYS smiling! She always made me smile and still does (via Facebook). Liz Steber is my best friend's mom and is always so welcoming when I come to visit! She also keeps inviting me back (which worries me a little) so she must like me! I truly appreciate her unending hospitality and her ability to laugh at me because she has seen me at my worst (although she probably considers it my funniest).
I also have to give a shout out to my old bosses, Sheila and Susan. I miss them both very much! Sheila is a very proud grandmother, I might add. And Susan is so amazingly sweet and cool. You can't work with Susan and not like her. You'd seriously be crazy not to like Susan.
So to all the strong, indepedent, totally AWESOME women in my life... thank you! Thank you for supporting/loving me and being seriously awesome! So instead of Mother's Day... I say Happy Wonderful Women Day to you all!
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