07 April 2008

Mom's 28!

I guess I had to steal the title from dad's post to mom. Mom has been 28 my whole life, and probably will be forever. Not only has she stayed young at heart over the years, but she still looks young. It must've been that salty California air. On this, mom's 28th birthday, I'd like to share a little about why I love her and why she deserves this very-happy-birthday post.

Mom loves music. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of me singing along to the Judds with mom. I was convinced that mom and my sisters were going to be famous country-music stars, and I still think they could've been. Maybe mom should try out for Idol next year. They allow 28-year-olds on that show, don't they? I thank mom for my love of music, singing, etc., even if it has evolved into a love for bands like Vampire Weekend and Yacht.


Mom, with their ex-neighbor's CD



Mom and the gang at the Bluebird Cafe


Mom is a very nice person and always taught me to be nice to others. I have been blessed and cursed with that practice my whole life, starting in the first grade. Mom always remains cool and collected in stressful situations, and has taught me to think before I speak, because once I've said something, I can't take it back. Those are words to live by.


After (or before--I wasn't there) dad was called to the stake presidency



On "Dumbo" right after I got home from the mish


Mom worries about her kids and loves to hear from us regularly. From a very young age, I started the habit of checking in with mom when I got home from school, or dances, or smoke-filled honky tonks, no matter what the hour. I'm glad that I have always been able to call mom and talk to her about life or talk to her about nothing at all. To this day, there is rarely a day when I don't call mom to "check in" and talk about things. I'm glad she's there for me.


Once again, mom at my favorite restaurant, Lucille's



And eating somewhere else for dad's/my birthday last year


Mom is generous. We joke about it now (and we joked about it at the time), but mom and I always said that it wasn't "her" checking account, but it was "our" checking account, and deep down inside I don't know if mom would have had it any other way. It is much easier for mom to spend money on others than it is for her to spend money on herself. If she didn't have dad to dress her and take care of her, she'd probably be fine living in a box and wearing burlap. Okay, she might not be okay with that, but she always puts her kids before herself, and I hope to be just as selfless as she is when I'm a parent.

Mom loves dad. She has been dad's silent supporter all of my life. She supported dad in all his Church callings and still supports him in his very hectic life. She always made sure that we supported dad, and taught us (the kids) to always speak highly of our family to others.

I owe my mom for who I am, and I'm okay with that. I hope she knows how much I love her, appreciate her, and admire her. She is a Christlike woman who serves for the sake of serving and does good without seeking recognition. The world would be a better place if everyone had a mother like her.

Oh, and I really think it's cool that she's been to an Alice Cooper/Santana concert.


Happy birthday, mom!

8 comments:

Christie said...

Yes, I wish we had pics of her at the Alice Cooper concert, too. I can hardly imagine that one. Go Diane!

Tina said...

you are such a good son! I hope my daughters will say nice things about me when they grow up.

Diane said...

Oh Michael...the world would be a better place if all moms could have sons like you! We have had some really good times together, haven't we?! I still laugh about our shared checking account and the debit card that was in your wallet more than in my own. It was that way because I knew you, and I knew you would never take advantage. I also remember trying to stay awake until you got home at night only to be scared awake when you would lean in really close to my face and whisper....Moooom. I would jump a mile when you did that. I think you enjoyed scaring me. Thanks for all the good times and memories. I love you!

Diane said...

Oh Michael,
How we love your mother.
Thanks for the very nice comments. Mom deserves everyone of them.
ILYSM to you, Kimberly, and Robyn.
DAd

Joseph B said...

Oh Michael....mom and dad started their comments that way, so I had to too...nice post. Why wasn't it MY checking account too? Just kidding. That was a sweet tribute! Love ya!

Kimberly said...

I have no idea what happened to my comment earlier today because there was one. Anyway, happy birthday, mom. I still think you must be the favorite child since I never had a shared debit card, cell phone, car, etc, etc, etc.

Alinde said...

Michael you are so sweet. I hope my kids will talk about me that way someday. (smile) But I have this lingering question
ARE YOU GETTIN MARRIED? MARYANNE IS SO CUTE! I HOPE YOU KEEP HER. (smile)

Love ya,
cousin Aimee

Alinde said...

sorry I spelled her name wrong I meant to spell Marianne...(smile) NAMES ARE A BIG DEAL AFTER ALL (SMILE)