The Year of Mom

She doesn't read my blog unless I ask her to, so I feel at liberty to pay a little homage to my mother right now.

My mom has had quite a year. Actually, she's had quite a few years. Perhaps this is what happens, to women especially, when you get to be a certain age. She and my dad decided a few years back to help young men in prison who had recently become Christians. While I was initially skeptical, it has proven to be some experience. Not only have they been able to give a few guys a nice home this year while they got on their feet, they've more or less adopted one of these fellows as their own. He's the brother I never wanted! Of course my parents have done this together, but my mom (being a mom) has been the main supplier of love and patience to these guys.

At Easter we got a call, the kind of call you dread. My mom thought she might have breast cancer, then found out she actually did. I was a wreck-- there were plenty of phone calls between my sister and I punctuated with long sighs. But my mother was aces. She went through surgery and her radiation with no complaint; even though she went for treatments every day of the week for months she kept on with life as usual. I always knew she was a trooper, but this proved it for sure.

And she started running this year. I mean, the woman runs every morning which is more than I've ever done. She and my dad hiked like crazy this summer, even during her radiation. And her cancer treatment was over for hardly a week before she got a new job. Not the typical grandma, but she is a good Noni too, coming to see her granddaughter whenever the opportunity avails itself (and always bringing a bag of clothes, of course).

Now my mother has always served as an example to me. So many moms raise their kids in such a way that they then become afraid of being spouses or parents themselves. But my mother gave me the confidence that I could have kids, be strong through struggles, and enjoy my children as much as she did while we were growing up. She also taught me a lot about marriage, that it can be the best thing despite all the trials it can bring and that you just don't give up on your spouse.

So, if I may be so bold, I'm declaring 2009 the year of mom. For all you overcame and all you accomplished this year, here's to you mom!