I've never been a fan of select days for a select part of our society. Just like I have never been a fan of favoritism in the workplace, school or on the sports field. But that is a whole other blog. Mothers day is always a dilemma for me. I always appreciated and so loved the things my girls would make for me when they were young. To see their handy work brought a smile because I know they put hard work and thought into what they made. They continue to make me happy with their time and efforts and how they show their appreciatioon and love to me.
I've been fortunate with the women that I have had in my life and the great role models they have been for me and for my girls. My grandmothers were both great women and very different. They were both constant in their love for their family and friends. They were of a different time when life was not so complicated and time was spent in different ways. We would walk many times over to my mom's parents home in our city and I loved that walk. It was long but we walked over the bridge and sometimes the trains would pass under and as a kid that was cool. The Dairy Queen was on the way and sometimes we were allowed to get a treat. My other grandparents owned lake property and we were fortunate enough to spend our summers there. I thought everybody did what we did, had the life we did. Ours was not a big deal by any means but it was a good upbringing. We had fun in the summers fishing, swimming, playing sports and of course who wouldn't want to use the outdoors johns. It wasn't even that bad because we were at the lake. Such good memories. We would walk on the railway tracks into the town to buy treats and games or comic books. You knew it was a good wholesome time. I have 2 aunts and they were also role models for me. Both very different again with different lives but still some similarities. They showed me their respect for their parents whenever we were together and that a sense of family was important. As I got older other women in my life were just as important as the women in my family. I will say right now that no one was perfect and I don't hold them to that standard but my mother taught me that life is about learning and it was my job to learn from those around me in any way I could. I had great women who became great models for me and our girls in the various churches we attended. Pastors wives, teachers, leaders etc were all so valuable in my life and how I have learned from them and brought up my own girls. We had friends in Calgary who we met at a church plant meeting. They fell in love with out girls who were elementary school age at the time. Our youngest was preschool. They were such positive influences for us but also showed our girls that family isn't just a name or blood. Sometimes it's more and they became surrogate grandparents for our girls as we did not live near any at the time. We dragged them to the girls concerts, to movies, they came for dinners, babysat, tie dyed shirts and even had Mr Bean nights at home with us. To this day they remain important in all of our lives. I've had many great professional mentors and role models over these 30 some years. It's been great for the most part. Some good some bad which in life is pretty standard. I have a great friend who I cherish like a daughter. We met 6 years ago and just hit it off. She has taught me about committment, strength, loyalty, integrity- all of the good things you want in a friend. It was such a priveledge to support her when you got engaged and then to be present when she recently became married. Such a good time and great friend. My girls lost their grandmothers when they were young. So some memories are faded or not there. I try to give them some of this history to keep them aware of who they are and where they come from. We have an important person in our lives and she is Karen. She came into our lives 19 years ago and has fulfilled the role for my girls that they never had. She is that grandmother that they wanted and needed. She was never pushy and said that they could just call her Karen. Any they do and that's o.k. When the girls were little and she came into our family it seemed like she was always there.Our girls welcomed her. She read stories with the girls, washed dishes, cooked , you name it Karen did it. As the girls got older and we moved to Phoenix Karen and Dad would come to visit and we would drag them everywhere.Concerts, music sports you name it they were there. So the lessons and the time spent will never be forgotten and was well worth it for us. The girls still call their grandparents while they are away at college. I wanted so much for them to have this role model in their lives and am so thankful they have had someone who has been so giving of herself to our girls. Not to diminish any of the previous women and their effects in my life but the most important role model for me was my mom. I have learned so much from her and now that she is gone alot of those life lessons that she tried to teach me then I understand them now. She was my number one fan. She was always building me up and as I got older she continued to encourage me in anything I did. She and I talked daily near the end of her life and she would tell me things that I now know the reasons for. She passed on many of her loves and I think of her often as I do some of the things that she used to. She loved her family to the max. She was always in the background but always supportive. She was a great singer and loved good conversation. If she liked you you knew it and she showed you in many ways. She liked to read and to garden. She took up golf later in life and was phenominal at it. She provided for her family in ways that I hope I can accomplish half of what she did. She was a good friend, loyal, hard working, kind, strong and all of the other things that make you feel good inside when you now you have a great friend. I learned from her that she accepted life as it was and was always thankful for her lot in life.
I've had and still have great women in my life that continue to show me what it is to be a great woman. I want to continue to show my girls that they are great women and can continue to be great just like the role models they have had and continue to have. I want them to know that it is a priviledge to be their mother and how proud I am of them for who they are. Each different and unique and to support them in their passions. I want them to know where they came from and the heritage that is theirs. I want them to know that they have my support, my love and help whenever and whereever they are for any situation they find themselves. I am proud to be their mother. Megan, Erin and Kelly I love you and thanks for the ride-it's been great. Hold on for more to come.
