Restless about Mom...

They are there from day one - attentive, supportive, unconditionally loving.  In many cases they're not formally employed but, during our childhood, they have so many jobs: chef, teacher, custodian, chauffeur, cheerleader, psychiatrist, attorney, cop, banker, concierge, judge, parole officer, and guidance counselor.  They are always our biggest fan because they see nothing less than us reaching our true and full potential. They inspire us with their quiet persistence; they nurture us and through nurturing teach us to love others.   They motivate us when we're down; they insist that we see things from a more positive perspective.

Rob, Mom, and I

I'm sure many feel this way but I am truly blessed to have the perfect mother for me.  Of all the gifts and blessings I have received in my mortality, surely there is none greater nor more precious than my mom.  She has faithfully worn all the hats described in the paragraph above but, what's more, she has been and remains my staunchest critic and greatest supporter.  Mom has the innate ability to cut through my flattery and misdirection and get to the heart of any matter.  She can help me identify my weaknesses, flaws, and insecurities - not judgmentally - but in a manner that inspires self-reflection and change.  My mom instilled in me a passion for books and reading - of seeking knowledge in its many forms.  She made learning fun, always finding a common ground for me to connect with concepts and principles.

My mom and me...

She created a home of order, of love, and of learning.  Despite our constant moving with dad's military career, she maintained consistency in how our home felt, regardless of location or how long we might find ourselves there.  She nagged, she always expected better, she held us to an incredibly high standard - all contributing factors to our developing an essential sense of civic and moral duty, of pride in a job well-done, of seeking to constantly self-improve.

Mom and the boys (hmmm, who's taller???)

My life is filled with rich memories and experiences where my mom played a role - and this is primarily because she chose to always be involved, always front-and-center in our activities, in our schoolwork, in our lives.  She's shed tears of joy during my highs and wept during my lows; has offered countless prayers to heaven on my behalf; has worried, cheered, fretted, celebrated, labored, doted, educated, cultivated - loved - every step of the way.  I'm 41 years old and still don't consider making a business trip out of town without dropping a courtesy call to mom to say "I've landed" or "I'm safe on the ground in (insert city here)".  She answers every call, thanks me for making it so she doesn't have to worry, she wishes me success in my endeavors, and she tells me she loves me.  We've carried on this ritual as far back as I can remember - and we'll carry it forward until she's in a place where my calls don't quite reach...

Mama's boy

I love you, mom.  Not so much that I'm going to let you win the next round of Words with Friends...but I love you all the same...

Happy Mother's Day!!