When I was 15 yrs old my dad left 2 days after Christmas, as my parent's marriage had come to a sudden end. (in my 15 yr old mind). My mom was a stay at home mom and never really worked full time out side of the house. In January as we went back to school my life changed so much it still makes my head spin. I went from being a kid to being a responsible adult (again, in my mind). My mom got several jobs and worked very hard to keep food on the table and us in our house.
It is crazy to think that at the age of 42 she started over, she was single, had 3 kids (the youngest was 7), she had never used her teaching degree and had a pile of debt.
I remember so many nights, she would sit at the kitchen table. After a long day at 1 or more of her jobs (she worked 7 days a week) she would be balancing her checkbook, paying bills, and crying. As she cried not realizing we were watching her - she would often be praying. I would hear her sing or pray aloud. At night if she was not working or paying bills she would be reading and writing in her journal.
As a 15 yr old I did not understand the pressure she must of been under to keep it all together for our family, yet I did know I needed to show her she was loved. She may not have the love of my dad any more but the 3 of us kids loved her - so I set out on a mission for mother's day.
Mission Mother's Day: Show mom how much she means to us in every way we can.
#1. Clean the house: Since, I was 15 I delegated this task to my younger siblings - thus maybe not the cleanliest it had ever been - yet they tried....
#2. Breakfast in bed: Yes, the traditional make your mom soggy cereal and burnt toast (or in our case almost not toasted toast - our toaster was not working). I think I also cooked an egg, not an edible one I do know that.
#3. One Dozen Red Roses: I had no car, no money and no idea how much roses cost on Mother's day - yet I was determined! I called every floral shop in the yellow pages. I finally found one who would deliver them to me, without charge. I meet the young man outside my house and paid him in quarters, dimes and pennies - no joke I even had heard you were suppose to tip a floral delivery so I gave him $.50 and some candy. He was so gracious and kind I never thought what I did was odd.
Did I make a Mother's day that was unforgettable for my mom - honestly she does not remember any of this Mother's day. Can I blame her... no she was just trying to survive at this time in her young life. I think now of how much she sacrificed on a daily basis. How she pulled herself up - worked 3 jobs, went back to college, send all 3 kids to a private school, took us on mini vacations, keep her faith in God even through the lowest moments in life.
She is now a great success in the business world. She is a strong leader and kind friend. She is an amazing mom/mother in law/grandma now, yet I saw her at her lowest point in life - and I saw strength, determination, faith, and one of the hardest working woman, I will ever known.
So matter what this week looks like for you, please know people are watching and learning from you. I hope you can all find a woman to pattern yourself after like I did at 15 yrs old.
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