I just have to brag on her because...well I can!
There is no one in this world that has a more giving heart than my mama. Many call her Honey, but only two of us have the blessing of calling her Mom. We are the lucky two.
She is Honey to all my students, her dinner table at church, and her beloved grandchildren. My brother chose that name for her and it fits her perfectly. She is as sweet as Honey.
I get so much joy in watching her be a grandmother to her 4 grandchildren (2 biological and 2 chosen). They all love their Honey and light up when they see her! She always has the most fun activities planned, which always involve learning whether they know it or not (she should have been a teacher!). She will do anything at the drop of the hat to make Natalie, Allison, Mary Carr, and Lewie happy.
She is like The Fairy Godmother as my boss says. Whatever needs to be done, she will make it happen. My mom and my husband spend countless hours helping me prepare the "home" for my students and myself for each new school year. She also spends time and money helping me prepare experiences for my students. Not fluffy lessons (that's a topic for a different day), but experiences that take learning to the next level. She comes to visit and always has a treat in hand for our (because they are hers, too) students. She makes a trip at the beginning of each school year to buy supplies and clothes for our future students. When a student is in need, the items they need magically appear just as a Fairy Godmother would do. My students know her as Honey, but they love when The Fairy Godmother visits.
State testing is coming up and just like every year, she will prepare a note for each student and a treat for each day. Seeing the reaction of my students when they get to experience the sweetness of Honey makes me realize just how much of her "sweet" she has given me and my brother over my 26 trips around the sun.
My mom loves so fiercely. She shows her fierce love through small acts of kindness, and it goes such a long way. She never expects anything in return, and it makes her the happiest person when she is able to do something for someone. She doesn't seek to be praised, she simply looks for the next person she can serve. I love to watch those react when they receive an act of kindness from her, but I revel in her response to serving others.
She always wants what is best for her children, our spouses, and her grandkids. She always has our best interest at heart. I look forward to our daily phone calls at 4:30 so that I can reflect on my day with her. When I'm in a dilemma and seek out her advice, she empathically listens and never tells me what to do but guides me to make the appropriate decision.
One of my favorite things about my mom is her relationship with my husband. They would both do anything for each other and anything for Lewie and myself. When Nick and I were in college, we spent most of our nights with my mom. We often talk about those memories...like when Mom learned how to "rap" and the many dance parties we had. We did and still do lots of things together. They are a perfect team when it comes to me. They worked so well together during my 28 hours of labor and were the best support I could have ever asked for. During all the intense labor, I was in awe of how seamless they were through all the bumps along the way...from epidural complications to Nick needing a snack 😂, they worked hand in hand to get Lewie here safely and to keep me healthy.
My mom feeds Nick's belly by always having a treat for him when he comes over, and Nick feeds my mom's soul with how he cares for Lewie and myself. Having a mom who loves your husband and a husband who loves your mom is quite an extraordinary thing. Their bond is so special to me.
I could go on and on about how amazing Honey is, but all that know her are already aware of that. I'm just so proud to be her daughter.
-Lauren
What an amazing post. She is beyond measure. I see where your heart comes from. You all are so very blessed.
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