My mom...I have really been thinking about this thanksgiving thing and what it means. I was taught to look on the bright side of things always. A friend who had a still born baby was crying on my mom's shoulders when I was eight years old about six months after my sister died. I remember her wiping her tears off and telling my mom that she (my mom) should be the one crying about the recent loss of her daughter. Instead, my mom comforted her friend and said, "I had five years to get to know Margaret, you did not have any time to get to know your baby."
My mom always looked as the glass as half full. My father disappeared a few
weeks after my sister died. We had no money. My mom figured out how to renew her teaching certificate and started teaching school. When I cried that she was not home after school or at lunch time, she told me how lucky we were to have good neighbors where I could play and eat lunch.
I never ever remember my mom complaining!!!! Not one time. Not about anything.
I never remember my mom criticizing any one. Not one time. No one.
My mom taught me how to be thankful for everything we had. She never talked about what we did not have. And, looking back, we really did not have much. We rented old houses, converted into apartments. She drove an old car. I had one new Sunday dress a year and one new pair of Sunday shoes. I had three school dresses so I could wear one every other day and one pair of school shoes. Growing up I never remember my mom buying herself a new dress. I still use the
Tupperware she got as a wedding present! My mom never had a new home, she never had a new car, she never had much that was new. But, I never realized that we went without. She filled our home with love. She gave of her time and talents to those less fortunate. Looking back now, I think we would have fit into that category if my mom had thought that way.
My mom raised me to believe we had everything we needed and to be thankful for what we had. I only hope that I was able to raise my children in the same way. It is not what you do not have that is important, it is what you do have.
Thank you, Mom, I love you!
I love this beautiful earth we live on. I love the blue skies in the summer and the grey skies in the winter. I love the budding leaves in spring and the golden leaves in autumn. I love hot summer days and cold winter days. I love the rain and the snow. I love the sun and the moon and the stars. I love the black dirt and the red rocks and the water. I love my backyard and I love my aspen hills. I feel so blessed to live on such a beautiful planet. Thank you!
