For my mom

Today is a special day. It's my Mom's birthday.

When I was little, my sister would always have to remind me that it was our Mom's birthday. I always knew it was the 12th, but I could never remember if it was in October or November. You would have thought it would be easy due to the fact that it was normally around Columbus day, but who tracks Columbus day? My kids have never counted down days to Columbus day. "Only 4 more sleeps until Columbus day" has never been a conversation at our house.

Most people think their mother is the best of the best. It isn't often that you hear of someone that doesn't speak to their mother. I know there are a few of you out there that don't. Don't worry, you won't be outed here. However, I happen to belong to the camp where I think my mom is the best of the best.

While I was a child, I lived with my head in the sand as most children do. We don't do it on purpose. We do it because our parents are taking care of us and we don't have to worry about much. My childhood wasn't exactly like that, but my Mom shielded us from many things - always for our own good. I have no idea how much money my parents had while I was growing up, but I never felt poor. My normal was a house that consited of 3 females, one in which had MS. It was my normal.

Now that I'm a mother, my mom tells me all the time what a great mother I am. Where does she think I learned it? I didn't read a book. I didn't take a class.

I learned it from you, Mom.

Through your actions and guidance I learned to be polite to other people. I learned to help people where I could. I learned that giving will make you feel good on the inside. I learned that due to the fact that life isn't easy, you must always stand up and fight. I learned that if I listen to people I can also learn from them. I learned that a disability is only as strong as you let it be.

I learned all this from you.

I love you Mom.

I love you for who you are and for who you helped me become. I love you for taking your life in your own hands when I was in the 3rd grade and saying enough is enough. I love you for being there beside my hospital bed when I thought I couldn't go on. You gave me reason to go on. Being me hasn't always been easy, but knowing that I had someone like you in my life made it worth the walk.

You're an amazing woman, Mom.

Happy Birthday.