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My parents were divorced when I was eleven years old.  My dad was a dentist in town so I mainly saw him when I would ride my bike to his office and spend a few minutes trying to talk to him as he worked on patients.  He was an outgoing, likeable guy and  I know he wanted to be a good parent but he just wasn’t around very much.  He passed away nineteen years ago this month and before he died he told me he how deeply he regretted leaving my mom and missing so much of my formative years.  I always loved him and still do.  But if it wasn’t for my mom I don’t know where I would be.

My mom is an amazing woman.  After dad left, she attended a local community college by night to earn a degree and worked by day at a full time job to help provide for her family.  Her life was busy but she often attended my sports, music and academic events at school.  She was and is so proud of all four of her children (I have three wonderful sisters.)  She repeatedly told us that God had “great things” planned for our lives and that we could accomplish whatever we put our minds to.  She made sure we were in church two to three times a week because she wanted us to have a strong faith in God. 

As proud as she always was of her children she never hesitated to discipline us when we needed it.  I was always very competitive at sports.   In fact, most of my summer days were spent on a baseball field.  I remember one time I struck out during a Little League game.  I was so mad that I turned around and threw my bat against the backstop.  My mom told me we were going to have a “long talk” when we got home.  I’ll never forget how badly I felt when she told me how disappointed she was in my behavior and that she had never been ashamed of me until that night.  She went on to tell me that if I ever lost my temper again on a sports field like that I would never play again.   I never did lose my temper playing and I was fortunate enough to attend college for all four years on a baseball scholarship.

Today my mom is ninety-three years old and she is still my rock.  She lives outside of Milwaukee so I don’t get to see her as often as I would like but I still talk to her almost every day.   Her prayers and her advice have made me who I am.  I know and greatly appreciate the sacrifices that she made for me and my sisters. 

Mom, on this Mother’s day and every day I want you to know much I love you and admire you.  Thank you for being who you are and for helping to make me who I am.     I thank the good Lord every day for blessing me with you!