Happy Birthday, Seb.

I hope she won't mind the title. Today is my mom's birthday, and it is definitely a day to celebrate. To put it simply, she has been everything I have ever needed or wanted her to be. A shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a wise counsel, a best friend, a shopping partner, a teacher, a role model, and the list could go on and on. I got to tell my students this year about one of my favorite memories from growing up in my house. Any night when I would come home from being out with friends, I would go back to my room and start my "get ready for bed routine" at my bedroom sink. Yes, bedroom sink. I know now that my mom probably gave me a few minutes on purpose, and then she would come back, check the temperature, and then nonchalantly walk over and either sit or lay in my bed while I finished washing my face, brushing my teeth, and getting on my pajamas. I loved knowing that she cared about my night, and about how I was feeling. Crazy teenage drama was probably the topic most nights, but we would just lay there for a while talking until I got sleepy enough. So, as I told my students about this (we had been discussing Anne Frank's tendency to confide in her father over her mother, and then we started talking about whether they tell their parents everything or anything at all), they all seemed to think my mom was pretty cool. She listened to what I had to say, and unless I asked for advice, she didn't give it. She was open and genuinely caring. And that's just one tiny example of who my mom is. The part of my mom that I've been noticing a lot lately is the giving part--and this part of her is HUGE. The moment she hears someone is ill, or the moment a baby is born, or the moment she knows someone would be just a little too tired, my mom calls and offers to bring a meal. She gives so much of her time and energy to love on others. She showers me with love in so many ways, and I just pray that one day I will be half the mom she has been to me. I so look forward to her loving on grandchildren (and I know she looks forward to that, too!), and I look forward to our relationship growing even closer as the years go on. I love you, mom. Have a WONDERFUL weekend in Columbia!