Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Mom

My sweet little Mama
This weekend I attended my Mom's 82 birthday celebration.

It took my whole weekend.  I actually
tried to weasel out of it, to be honest.... I mean it was a really long drive, (my sister lives out ...well pretty far out). 

Anyway I was kind of dreading it, you know how it is, we all have soooo much going on, and it really does take a bit of planning to get away. But I did go, my other sister made it just so easy to go and she's really smooth, she knows how to lightly persuade.

So, we went in together for this party, and actually it was lovely! Very, very nice. My Mom called me later to thank me for coming! Wow... after all she has done for me, how could I have considered not going.  It shames me to think, and to admit it...

Times were different when I was growing up, that was in the 60s and 70s, my parents had 8 kids! That is almost unheard of today, (even if you are Catholic). Nowadays if you have 8 kids, you get a reality show. Back then you just got tons of laundry, lots of dirty dishes and a more dirty diapers (cloth) than I care to think about.

My parents did such a great job. I don't think they read books about parenting or really worried too much about things. I know I spent a great deal of time on my own doing dangerous things. Things we are reluctant to allow our own kids to do now because of all the "dangers". That is not to say I was always safe, but I learned how to take care of myself. I learned to not be fearful. I learned how to think and solve problems with what I had available. Certainly important skills!

I wore hand me downs, we never had chips or packaged cookies, I don't think I had a soda til I was a teen! We actually had home cooked meals! We only went to the doctor in extreme emergencies (none), pets were pretty much on their own, (sorry Buddy, you'll learn to get around being lame). It may sound neglectful, but it wasn't, it was a different time. 

Mom, thanks for all the cooking, thanks for all the rides, thanks for trying your best. You made me who I am! If it weren't for you I would have never taken the path less traveled, I would not have this Farm, I would never have  tried to do anything out of the ordinary.

I love you.






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