#1 Dance Partner

My Mom is still my favorite dance partner

My fondest memories often revolve around those dances

One of my fondest is

teaching me to dance the Shimmy

on Saturday nights

in our living room

to the tune of Proud Mary

My Mom

eloquent, poised, graceful, & fashionable,

that still cuts a rug like no one’s business

My Mom

strong, independent, generous, & kind

 

No matter what our strife, or struggles, or trials & tribulation

she instilled and still supports the value of family

and everybody just get along

 

Often, I have said, she put the fun in the dysfunction of our family

My Mom is the beautiful rock and glue

that holds our blended family, with all its personalities, together.

 

I tease her now that she is the matriarch of our family

But, the power she has doesn’t come from a stern heart

but from unconditional love of what family means.

 

She has this look, yes we tease her about it,

We try to warn new comers to the value and the meaning of

“the Look”

Can’t describe it, but boy you sure know its meaning when it appears

With a slightly raised eyebrow, in an instant glance

you KNOW to your core that you have gotten it.

No words, just “The look”

 

but that look, now, in my eyes, is just the reminder of

its what’s most valuable to her

FAMILY and unconditional love for everyone

the older values of respect, manners, etiquette, morals,

and the bright shining Golden Rule

 

She often has told me, she chose my name

Because I was her jewel.

All that she has done, all that she still does,

and while now, I am ashamed to admit,

sometimes found disdain for at periods in my life.

 

But as I get older, I now know, has all been the polish for my inner brightness.

 

My Mom is my best friend, my soft place to land, my voice of wisdom

and I’ll tell you a little secret…..

And as much as I fought it, you are still the woman I want to be most like!

 

And today,

just like when I created the crayola flower garden on my bedroom wall when I was in trouble,

or would just pick the tops of all your beautiful flowers, leaving out the stems

or when I took your package of Oreo cookies and took all the middles to bake you a cake in the easy bake oven

All just to see you smile!

 

Thank you Mom for all that

you shared with me,

endured for me,

and most of all

gave me…………….

A mother’s love is like no other

Can I have the next dance please?