Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 23: The Motherbird

We call my mother “The Motherbird.”  She started it, and, for the life of me, I cannot remember why, but she has always been the Motherbird.  Today, I am grateful for my Mom, the Motherbird.

Three generations of strong women

First and foremost, Mom taught me how to be a good mom to my kids.  It’s amazing how many things I say to my children that I know she said to me 50 times before.  I hear her voice when I say the exact same things to them.  “Do the things you have to do before the things you want to do” immediately comes to mind.  Spooky, but good.

Mom taught me how to cook.  She is an excellent cook, but especially an excellent baker.  She is known throughout Memphis and beyond as having the best Christmas cookies in the world.  I am so lucky that she taught this skill to me, and gave me all of her good recipes to make for my family.

One of the reasons Mom’s cookies are so famous – other than that they are amazingly beautiful and delicious – is that she makes them for everyone.  She has such a giving heart.  At Christmas, she gives cookies to everyone she knows, and everyone appreciates them.  They know that they are not only tasty, but were made with love and care.

So I guess that’s the main thing about Mom for which I’m grateful: she taught me to be giving and kind.  She has such a good heart.  If you are in need, my mom is there for you.  If you are sick, she’ll bring you soup to warm your heart and body.  She makes cookies and goodies for friends needing some love.  She has selfless devotion to her children and grandchildren.  If you need something, Mom is there.  That’s one valuable lesson that I really appreciate and I hope to pass along to my kids as well.

Things have not always been easy for my mother.  I am so grateful that, despite this, she managed to get both my brother and me through college, nearly single-handedly, and made sure that we had everything we needed and wanted.  She is one tough bird, this Motherbird.

So today I give thanks for my Mom.  I cannot possibly thank her for everything she has taught me and given me.  She is an amazing woman, and I am so lucky to call her Mom.

Thanks for stopping by.