30 Things I Love About My Mom

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel back to my hometown (Lavonia, Georgia) and spend some quality time with some friends and family, but most importantly, my mom.

Since I did not have the chance to see her on Mother’s Day (don’t worry, I called her), I knew I couldn’t miss her birthday!

What a GREAT time we had! GREAT conversation! And GREAT laughs!

But before I knew it, the weekend was over.

So to commemorate my mother’s birthday, I wanted to share a list of 30 things I love about my mom.

1. When my Aunt Margaret chickened out of dating some guy named Jack Breeback, my mom decided to take up the . And shortly after, they were married. I LOVE MY PARENTS!
2. She named me. Albeit highly unique, I love it!
3. She constantly read to me. I cannot begin to count how many hours were spent at the Lavonia Carnegie Library selecting books (sometimes 20, even 30 at a time.) I do not believe a day EVER went by that I did not read a book.
4. She taught me how to take care of my pet dog, Bristle.
5. She taught me how to sew, iron, cook, and clean. WOW! Mom!
6. She never told me what I couldn’t do, and only encouraged me to go after my dreams.
7. She knew that plain vanilla ice cream was the quickest way to my heart, and to get me to complete my chores.
8. She took me fishing.
9. Even though I wasn’t to keen on the idea of jumping off the diving board on my first day of swimming lessons, she guaranteed me that I wouldn’t sink to the bottom.
10. She also had a band-aid and a kiss for my (MANY!!!!) injuries.
11. She helped teach me how to ride a bike.
12. She prayed for me OFTEN! And let me know it!
13. She taught me the core of my faith in Jesus Christ, and encouraged me to learn more.
14. She wasn’t overbearing, and wasn’t a pushover.
15. She taught me how to shop for groceries by saving money with bulk buys, and using coupons to avoid overspending.
16. I remember my mom sticking little notes inside of my lunch box, and bookbag, and even my baseball equipment bag. I wish I had kept them. So encouraging!
17. She’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known. I was never 100% sure how s he worked all those jobs (as many as 3, maybe more, a day), and still took care of our family, (and maintained her sanity) but she did.
18. And when my mom committed to a job, she put forth 110% of her effort! There was no room for error, and no time for dilly-dallying.
19. She taught me that sometimes life isn’t fair, but she also taught how to make the best of each situation.
20. When I left the corsage for my prom date in our refrigerator, guess who brought it to my school. Mom.
21. She’s been a great example of commitment in marriage. I believe this past October my parents celebrate 37 years of marriage. That’s incredible!
22. If my mom wasn’t working (refer to #14), she was ALWAYS at my home baseball games (or those played in nearby communities).
23. Mom was always willing to work with me to help me improve my skills at baseball. Pitching to me in the batting cage. Playing catch with me. Throwing pop-fly’s in the air for me to catch. The list goes on…
24. My mom can cook!!!!
25. She puts others first. No matter the cost. No matter the reasons. There’s not a selfish bone in my mom’s body.
26. She encouraged me to travel, as much as possible (even though deep down, she, like any mother, worried for my safety each trip I took).
27. She gave me a weekly allowance in college, just so I could have “a little extra fun.”
28. She did my laundry every weekend, while I was in college.
29. She always encouraged me to develop my friendships and relationships with others, and create wonderful memories.
30. She always assured me that God could do incredible things through me if I was willing to give him complete control.

There’s so much more that I could have written. But the best I can offer you is this piece of advice. Get to know my mother, Marilyn, and you’ll love her just as much, if not more, than I do.

Happy (belated) Birthday Mom! I LOVE YOU!!!!