Happy Birthday to my Mommy Dearest

Earlier this week my mom celebrated another birthday. She had quite a few birthdays before I ever came along, and everyone of those years she was slowly becoming the person she is today. Since I've been around to celebrate her birthday she has imparted her wisdom to me day after day, year after year. It's easy to take those around us for granted so I just wanted to take a minute and reflect on all of the wonderful things my mother has taught me. She ages so gracefully and I can only hope to age as well as her and to be as good of a mother to my future children. Here's everything I can think of, in no particular order:

• She's kept a record of all of my childhood moments and shared them with me. Memories are to be cherished. 
• She's read all the classic children's books to me and shared her passion for reading. I still remember all of the summer reading clubs I took part in. I loved to devour books and still do. Reading can be to learn or just for fun. Read what you love, not what society says you should read.
• Compassion for co-workers. 
• How to be polite and have manners in every situation. 
• How to be conscientious and considerate.
• How to write a gracious thank you note, and how to write a letter. 
• How to be a good hostess and plan a party. How to set a table properly.
• How to plant flowers and care for a garden. How to cut flowers and use them for arrangements.
• How to be calm and collected. 
• How to clean a house. 
• How to do laundry and use an iron. How to use a sewing machine and sew a button. 
• How to be prepared for anything. 
• How to drive. 
• How to do my hair, put on make-up and paint my nails.
• How to play the piano and read music. 
• How to use the stove and cook dinner. More importantly how to bake!
• How to swim (funny story...)
• She's been a great example about how you meet friends in all stages of your life, and how it's worth hanging on to them. 
• How to be a good daughter, granddaughter and even daughter-in-law.
• How to love animals.
• She's taught me all I know about farm animals and crops. 
• How it's okay to cry when you're watching a movie. 
• How to laugh so hard you cry, or cry so hard you laugh. 
• How to paint a room and hang a picture.
• How to be crafty. 
• How to shop. 
• How to decorate a Christmas tree and wrap a present.
• How to share the Christmas spirit even with the mail man and the trash pick-up people. 
• How to participate in Sunday school and be involved at Church.  
• How to be supportive and patient. 
• How to be independent.
• How to be a good wife. 

I'm sure my list only scratches the surface, and many of these things my dad had a hand in as well, but I am truly thankful for everything my mother has taught me, whether it was through instruction or just as an example to me. Happy birthday to my loving Mother who has helped me become (I like to think!) a well-rounded person.