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I am so thankful for my mom’s commitment to creating joy for our family. And I mean literally creating joy!  What we lacked in financial resources she made up for in imagination, creativity and enthusiasm! Not only did she sew most of our clothes, she upholstered our furniture and decorated our bedrooms to create a home out of our tiny house. And I have the most vivid memories of how she turned every school project or community activity into a fantasy. For my 1^st grade Easter Parade, my bonnet actually incorporated a bird in a bird cage! When everyone else brought a shoe box to school for the 4th grade valentines exchange, I proudly showed up with a cardboard mailbox completely covered in tissue paper roses. In the fifth grade, when 50 Campfire Girls gathered to release balloons, I showed up with mine decorated as Raggedy Ann and made the local news!  There were countless kiddie parade floats, birthday parties, and backyard carnivals that I have magical memories of, thanks to my mom’s dedication to creating joy. 

Another great memory is looking back at my prom. I realize now how lucky I was, and how stressed out my mom must have been. Back in 1980, there weren’t many choices for girls shopping for their dream prom dresses. That made for some very competitive shopping.  I realize just how great I had it!  I could design ANYTHING I could imagine, and my mom would figure out how to bring it beautifully to life! We never started with a pattern….too typical. The more complicated, the better, and there were never too many details! Oh, and do I need to mention I was a teenage girl with all of the drama that goes along with that?  “It’s scratching here. It’s too tight here. It’s puckering here…..” you can only imagine!  My mom is not only talented, she has the patience of a saint! Thanks for the memories Mom!

For all that my mom has done for my family, one day to honor her just isn’t enough!  I love you Mom!