Wednesday, March 21, 2012

A Milestone Birthday


To my wonderful mother on her 60th birthday...


Dear Mom,

Putting together your 'Celebrating 60' photo book has taken me on an amazing journey of your life through the eyes of those who love you the most.  I am overwhelmed by the amount of love, appreciation and admiration that all who know you have for you.  But yet it doesn’t surprise me at all. 

You are a remarkable person, Mom.  I always knew it as a kid, but as I go through my life as an adult, I realize it more and more each day. Thinking back on how you managed to raise all of us while supporting Dad’s office, building up your own business (it’s very hard not to say anything to the high school kid at Party City when she says tells not be alarmed that the mylar balloon will shrink when I walk outside in the cold) and everything else you did is what drives me to do the same for my family.  You are my inspiration. 

Every time I lock the girls out of the bathroom and say “I just need 5 minutes” after I walk in the door from work, or when Clara tells me to “stop it” when I start dancing in the car (at least she hasn’t called me drunk yet when I do it!), I smile and think of you.  Every time Christian complains about me wanting to read over one of his papers or check his homework, I stand firm and think of you – the Red Pen Rascal. 

You knew when to steer me in the right direction and when to let me figure it out on my own.  You let go and let me sail away to explore the world.  You supported me when I chose video production instead of biology/pre-med as a career path.  You supported me when I got engaged to an unemployed single father.  You helped me up when I was down and gave me tough love when I needed it…and you continue to do so every day of my life.

I couldn’t possibly fit everything I’d like to say to you in one letter, Mom.  You mean so much to me that I can barely begin to express how I feel.  I love you so much and hope to be just like you when I grow up.

Love,
Ellen



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