Thanks Mom

I have a great mother. She has always been my best supporter. I look back on my life and I am grateful to have her as my mother. I know that she has been through alot in her life. My mom got married at 14 and had my sister at 16 and me at 18. My dad had been married before and so he had a daughter that was about 3 when they got married. I asked my mother what made her get married soooo young. She said my dad just kept asking her and she gave in. Well anyone who knows her now she just doesn't give in.
One time while in Nebraska visiting my grandfather, who was wonderful, I realized "Oh, now I see where the stubbornness comes from" My grandfather my mother and now me and guess what Rachel...you too. As we talked about family traits and what my great grandmother was like(I never met her) she was really stubborn. But come on she had 13 kids, she had to hold her ground. Her first 2 were twin boys with my grandfather being the oldest.(and what jokers they were)
My mom has dealt with alot in her life. My grandmother(her mom) died in my mothers arms when my mom was 18 and I was 2 months old. My mom had a 2 year old and a new baby and now dealing with the death of her mother. What alot to deal with. Plus my Aunt Karen her younger sister was only 15 when her mother died. It could not have been easy.
Her best a love in her life came much later. His name was Big Jim because he was sooo tall. His name was actually James but everyone knew him as Big Jim. What great guy he was. He had the best outlook on life. He taught me alot. Even when he was dying of cancer he had the best outlook. He loved my mother and all of us. When he died I know that it broke my mothers heart. She lost her best friend and love of her life.
A few years later her baby sister died. That is what my always called her. When my Aunt Karen died it has been hard. My mom and Aunt were very close. Karen moved to Texas to live near my mother (after her husband died of cancer). Karen did not like the heat but she loved her sister.
My sister had been sick for a long time now. Really bad for almost 2 years. My mother has always been there for her. I sometimes think to the detriment of her own health. She keeps going, now she has my niece and her 3 kids that live with her. Her life is never dull.
I love my mom and all that she has taught me. Rick says she is the greatest mother in law ever. He says that she has taught him alot. I am very grateful to have been blessed my having her as my mother. Thanks Mom for teaching me many great lessons in life through your example and willingness to share and be there for others. You are a wonderful mom, and I love you.