I recently had to email my mom and tell her that there was no way I could get a card to her in time for Mother’s Day.  Fortunately my mom is very cool like that, not one of those guilt tripping martyr mothers who would act like it was the end of the world because you didn’t make it to the store that week to honor her.  No, that isn’t how she rolls.  Well, she also thought my youngest son’s birthday was a month later than it actually is, so she was feeling very forgiving!

Since I live near her mother, Mom simply told me to do something nice for my grandmother instead.  My mom has always been pretty selfless like that.  She is just one of those really giving people, and I hope that I measure up in that respect.

Even though she lives across the country from me, the magic of the Internet makes it possible for us to stay close.  She can see pictures of the kids, and now that she has upgraded to DSL, can even watch video clips of them.  She spoils them rotten, of course, and I suspect she takes great joy in watching them open their Grandma packages via YouTube.

My mom is truly one of the most generous people I know.  Even when she didn’t have expendable income (who does when they have kids?) she gave her time.  I couldn’t tell you how she ended up taking this one elderly woman to the grocery store every week when I was a kid.  I just remember that she took “Dorothy” shopping with her.

When I was a waitress and had to work on Easter, she thrust a package containing leftovers of our feast into my hands.  I was to deliver it to the guy who lived in his car that she passed on her way to work every day.  It was kind of awkward dropping it off, but I did it.  The enormity of her caring never really hit me until I was an adult.

She has a soft spot for animals.  It is hard for her to turn down a stray. I remember the time some kids were being mean to an animal while we were at the park.  She put a stop to it.

It is no wonder that she is a nurse.  Her tough exterior masks a very big heart.  She has been working with veterans for about two decades.  A holiday seldom goes unnoticed on her watch.  Her patients get a variety of treats, from pizza to homecooked black eyed peas and cornbread.  One of the best gifts I was able to give her was the crock pot with a locking lid so she could take goodies to her guys.  No spilling during the commute!  And heaven help the slacker who doesn’t do their job right!

Her generosity gets pointed my way as well, and for my sister.  She has helped with so much around the house with elbow grease and otherwise, there isn’t a room here that does not reflect how much she loves us.

I have a really great mom.  She taught me what I want to be as a person, she lives her values, and she gave me one of the best gifts I ever got, and that was my sister.

So happy Mother’s Day!  We may not be doing it perfect, but our kids love us anyway!