Happy Birthday Mom!

I think Mom and Dad have internet at their campsite, but no cell service (go figure.). So in the hopes she gets this on her day, here is my top ten reasons I love Mom.

Number 10 - She loves music. Be it the Little River Band, Pavarotti, the Supremes, Mozart, or U2, Mom enjoys good music. She is fun to listen to it with and to talk about it with. She even watched Rattle and Hum.

Number 19 - She has a great eye for style. She did the reception, styled the house. She does beautiful things (bows, wrapping, cards, rooms, art, etc)

Number 8 - She is supportive and positive. I love talking to Mom because she is upbeat and makes me upbeat. She is also directly supportive and encouraging and provides a great lift. One word - Scouts.

Number 7 - She is smart and well read. I love seeing Mom's nightstand and getting a feel for her reading list. She appreciates good writing and good thinking and thinks deeply about things.

Number 6 - She is tender to her children and grandchildren. Mom does a great job of being loving to us and to the kids. She plays with them and works with them and knows how important it is. She also passes on her learning about how important it is to do this as a parent.

Number 5 - She laughs hard and well. Mom loves a great joke. She likes laughing and does it very well. She makes you feel like you are the funniest person--until you see her with Don, who can make her laugh harder than anyone.

Number 4 - Mom is down to earth. She is well educated and loves the high thinking but at the same time appreciates the day-to-day stuff in life (hoops, cycling, YouTube, Lost).

Number 3 - Mom is a hard worker. She goes hard at everything she does. Seminary, garden, homework, P-Chem, Girls Camp, Elections, PTA, Booster Club, Whatever. Mom is committed and works to make the thing she is supporting the best that they can be. It is not enough to just watch and follow. Mom works to make things great.

Number 2 - Mom is beautiful. She has great fashion sense and takes the time to look good (the only exception being the MooMoo-Moon Boot combo - which-let's face it-was beautiful in its own way).

Number 1 - Mom is loving. Mom knows how to read people and is good about showing love. I remember Mom coming to school if she knew the day was hard and taking you out for lunch. She is comforting and makes you feel loved. She sends cards and notes. She writes letters and emails. She Skypes and calls and blogs. Mom is great about loving her family.