Sent to me by Stephanie Ulmer (a former student of mine that I love dearly)

I was a lucky child for I always knew my mom loved me.  I guess it all began when my mom was expecting me.  She counted down the days until my arrival by knitting me a baby blanket.  And if you know me at all, you know that I still, at age 33, sleep with my “banky.”  It doesn’t look the same, but it sure does make me feel the same way I did when I was a child.

Growing up my mom was super mom.  She made countless sacrifices for me and both my brothers.  I remember every Christmas, each one better than the one before.  There is nothing like getting that new bike or Cabbage Patch Doll and lucky for us, “Santa” always came through,

I also remember trip after trip to Bowling Green for gymnastics.  She was at every ballgame when I cheered and at every competition that we entered.  When I arrived home from school or practice, she was always home.   Not only was she home but she had a hot meal on the stove and my cheerleading uniform ready for the next day.

I talk to my mom everyday.  And in fact, it’s more like three times a day.  We talk about everything and nothing all at once.  But the one phone call I will never forget is the phone call we made to tell mom we were expecting our first child.  She was screaming so loud that my brothers were convinced we won the lottery.

Unfortunately Ms. Amelia decided at 38 weeks to set up camp on my sciatic nerve.  Because of this, my labor was induced.  I told mom nothing would happen in the hospital for at least 24 hours but she refused to listen.  She was right there by my side, beaming, gifts in hand.  After 32 hours of labor, Amelia entered the world and nothing has been the same since.  See, there is something strange that happens to a mother when she becomes a grandmother or, in my mom’s case, a “Granzy” (My mom is just way too fancy to be a grandma).  They become what you always wanted your mom to be; your playmate with no rules and no restrictions.  When Amelia and my mom are together, I hear comments like,” Its okay, you can play with that” or “ one more cookie and then we will go eat wherever you want.”  I always laugh and think to myself “Did that just come out of her mouth?”  And when they are together, no one else exists.  Those two are in the floor playing games, outside on a walk, or in the kitchen baking goodies.  And I absolutely love to watch them play beauty shop.  First, let me say, Granzy wont go anywhere without makeup or the “ perfect hair” so it is amazing to me that Amelia is allowed to comb, tease, and spray  anything she wants on my mom’s head!

But of all the things Amelia likes to do at Granzy’s house, her very favorite is making a trip up the ladder to the magic attic.  You see, the magic attic has an endless supply of beanie baby stuffed animals and every time we go to Horse Cave, Amelia expects a trip up that ladder.  Granzy always goes upstairs and carefully picks out  2 or 3 that she thinks are perfect.  I am convinced this is why stuffed animals are taking over my house.

For me, it’s the small things my mom does for Amelia that are the most important.  She always has her favorite foods when we visit.  She sends care packages for every occasion and most importantly, the love she has for Amelia is so obvious it warms my heart.

Like I said before, I always knew my mom loved me.  But I just don’t think I knew how much until Sept 14, 2006.  That was the day Amelia was born and when I looked in her eyes for the first time, I got it.  I remember thinking, “Wow, my mom sure does love me.”  It all clicked.  I know everyone thinks they have the best mom in the whole world, but I really do.

Congratulations Sandy! And congratulations Stephanie, who is about to make Sandy a nana again! Isn’t the power of a mother and grandmother wonderful?

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