I'm sure every mother out there is great, but i couldn't ask for a better one. My mother is a strong, dependent woman, who has raised me to be a child at heart and an adult in mind. She works hard everyday, only becuase she wants to. I have heard my fater tell her she doesn't need the job and I know that my father can take care of her. But she continues to work for herself. She has loved me, taken care of me, and nurtured me. She's always been there, even when times were hard for her. But this year, I am privilaged to see my mom in her prime of joy.

My mother has raised my brother and I both, watched us grow, taught us lifes secrets, and now she's going to see her life move on. One being married and the other graduating high school. Her entire life, her soul and love, is leaving. She stands tall and proud to know that her only two children are grown up and liveing thier own life. I cannot understand the loss she holds, mainly becuase I'm not a mom, but I do know that she's very proud of both of us. To see her only son graduating and going away to the Art Institute of Colorado, and her only daughter getting married soon after and moving out is truely a huge heartbreak. She's so motherly she will have nothing to do nor take care of when we leave...and yet... I see her shine even brighter.

My mother has also taken my wedding planning into her own hands. This is really a large chore for her. While she is organizing this, she is also getting ready for family to come over for Stephen's graduation. I will not try to understand this stress. I work, yes, but planning and organizing anything is a headache for me. I do not handle stress at all. In the mist of loosing her children, she still helps and runs the partys for our entry into the new world. Her plans are delayed becuase she's so busy and I see her more stressed at this time then ever before, having to hold her emotions back to make sure that chores are done.

This Mother's Day, Mom isn't relaxing and sleeping in. She's not sipping wine outside in the cool breeze watching the day goodbye. She's not even watching her favorite shows on TV while we run around doing chores for her. This Mother's Day, like most of the Mother's Day before, she's rushing around the house cleaning and cooking for Dad. When she does decide to take that break, she gets on the computer and looks up wedding stuff for me. She doesn't even have her shows on, mainly since Dad must watch his golf. (Laughs) She has not asked for wine, a padded chair, or a nap. My mother is a model for all women, to be a strong independant woman, and to love and put other's before her own. I dont think i could ever be as wonderful as her, but I can always use her example to make me a better woman.

Thanks Mom, for the world you have given me. There's no more that you could have given me, woman to woman. I love you and Happy Mother's Day.