Sunday, May 10, 2009

My Momma

There are a lot of things I love about my mom. She gave me and my sister a pretty incredible childhood with lots of Mr. Potato Heads, little debbie snack-cakes, movies at the $1 theater, Saturday night steaks and The Love Boat, and fun girls-only trips to the coast where we'd have burping contests with shaken-up bottles of Dr. Pepper.
Mother and Potato-head daughter, 1975? '76?

She also has always been the make-up queen and taught me how to gussy myself up for special occasions, like my big sister's wedding.
Mother and maid-of-honor daughter, 1991. Gotta love the "dusty rose" taffeta, right?

She's kept the bond really tight between all us girls, teaching me what it means to support each other through thick and thin, lean and plenty.

Three generations: Big sister, Granny, Lori, Momma, 2004

She loves Ted like her own son.

Mother and son-in-law, 2004

She's a doting grandmother who parades Abe around her workplace, tacks his picture up everywhere, and shows everyone the blog.


Maybe what I love best is symbolized in the locket she wears around her neck every day. She puts the names of children in there that she prays for, children who are sick or lost or who need to be prayed home.

She lets my friends call her to talk about motherhood, even if she was watching Idol. She used to be a foster parent for many years, always bringing in the most special needs babes out there, in need of an especially gentle touch. She taught me not to be afraid of any disability a child might have. She taught me that you survey the situation, pray, and gently yet determinedly forge ahead into deeper waters of compassion and patience. She's bravely allowed her heart to be broken by these little ones many times.

Over the phone, she says, "Mm-hm" when I tell her that the best Mother's Day gift I can get is simply to be Abe's mom. All weekend, I can't stop thinking about my friends who are still waiting to be "mom," and my heart breaks for them. And I hold Abe a little tighter, and my Momma gets this.

I also really like that she has been known to rock out to "Purple Haze," if it happens to come on the classic rock station while she's driving back-roads during a Mississippi thunderstorm. Momma's gotta rock sometimes, right?

grandson and Gee, 2008

11 comments:

Julie said...

Your mama does indeed 'rock'. Didn't she pull over to the side of the road and save someone's life too? And don't forget- she raised an incredible young daughter named Lori.

Gretchen said...

I love Lori's momma. Not even kidding over here. I know for a fact that SHE IS A LIFESAVER. In fact, she was the first one to hear me utter my son's name- because it felt right.

I want to give her a squeeze and not let go for a really long time.

Beautiful way to show your love, Lori dear. You, too, are incredible.

jen said...

"She taught me that you survey the situation, pray, and gently yet determinedly forge ahead into deeper waters of compassion and patience." - you are blessed.

Jill said...

Happy Mother's Day Lori...and to your mom too!

Staci said...

What a nice tribute to your mom!

coffeemom said...

Lovely! So nice to see such a tribute....you are very lucky to have such a mom...and no wonder you are such a remarkable mom yourself! Love M

Amy B. said...

What a great post. Your mom seems like a lovely woman. It also seems that her compassion and patience has been a temendous source of influence on your life...because I see those things in you every time I talk to you.

PVZ said...

So very lovely, so very happy for you friend that you get to have mother's day every day.

Claudia said...

This is such a lovely tribute! Makes me feel like I know her :)

(and thanks for thinking of the rest of us, today. I appreciate it!)

Sara said...

Your mom sounds incredible. Thanks for all your great posts. I really enjoy reading your blog.

Heather said...

I had to wear a dusty rose colored made of honor dress in 1988. Mine also had dusty rose lace on it with a drop waist. Too cruel. Your mom sounds great!