Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My Mother

Today is my mothers birthday and we have enjoyed celebrating for a couple of weeks now. In that time I've done some reflecting on how lucky Alexis and I are to have such a great mom.



I've been lucky that my mother and I have always gotten along. From the time we were little to now as an adult. Even in those crazy tumultuous teenager years my mother was always understanding. Now that I am an adult we continue to have a great relationship. My mother has been through a lot in her life and is one of the strongest people I know. We were talking about the proudest things in her life and one of the things (behind Alexis and I... of course) was that she went to university when she was a mature student.

In fact when I was in college my mother was in university. It is amazing to me that she has never been a person who says I can't. I think especially as you get older it is easier to stay stuck in what you know, but mom has never been like that. She decided that once my sister and I were going off to university and college that she should do the same. Now she is a social worker and helps so so many people.

She is someone who chooses her life and doesn't just go through the motions. Another example is she never said I can't to picking up and moving across the country.

One of the other things I think is amazing about my mother is what a great grandmother she is.

It's amazing to see how much she loves those kids and how much she loves me for being their mother. Days when I feel like I need a break I know she'll be there to give it to me.

She loves my kids so much. I am so happy to have her help in raising our children. My kids will always know and love her (and her cooking)



This is a picture of my mother with Alexis and I. Of course I don't remember this, but I do remember after Nathan was born her coming over and I was just feeling overwhelmed. I was outside with Nathan to try and get him to stop crying. And we walked and talked, and walked and talked and I remember feeling a weight lifted off my shoulder.






Mom had the most interesting childhood, there are many many stories, more then I can list. but one of the interesting things is that she has lived in almost every province. She was born in Prince Edward Island lived in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba as a child and Ontario and Alberta as an adult.


This is one of my favorite pictures. It just says love to me.

i love you too mom.

Jenn

4 comments:

Susan said...

Thanks for the lovely tribute, you made me cry. I too think that I am very lucky and blessed to have two wonderful daughters, a great son-in -law and two adorable grandsons, who I love dearly. I feel blessed to be able to be a part of their lives and I can't imagine my life without them. They are the greatest gift that you have ever given me. Love you

Mom

Anonymous said...

A big happy birthday to your mom. She's a great lady! Nice old photos.

George

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

happy birthday to your mom

how blessed u are
and what a nice person she sounds

Jen

Goofball said...

that's a lovely tribute to your mom. Very nice to write it explicitally as well...I don't think I personally say such things out loud to my mom.