Diamond's Are Forever: Week 4: Family Member

If you read my last post, you'll know it wasn't an easy decision to pick just one family member to write about. I love and admire every one of my family members in a different way, but there is one family member I especially look up to, relate to, share an incredibly close relationship with, and who knows me probably better than I know myself. The woman who raised me, stood by my side when others turned their back, picked me up when I didn't have the strength to do so on my own, who joins in on my silliness, and tells me I can when I just know I can't. She is the person who listens to my rants without judgement, who helps point me in the right direction, and the person who rescues my child when all I need is to be alone. Not only my family member, but my best friend, and my mother.

There won't ever be a combination of words to describe how blessed I am to have the mother I do. I could make this a never ending blog post if I tried to include every reason I chose my mom for this topic, but aint nobody got time for dat. I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

Mom has always been my best friend, and somehow that friendship only grows stronger with "age." As I am now an adult with my own family, I have an entirely new appreciation for both of my parents, my mother especially. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs, and I definitely didn't make that job a walk in the park for my poor mom. AND she had 4 of us little shits to raise! "How did she do it?" is something I frequently ask myself.

All my life, mom has been an example of hard work. She has always, always {and still does} bust her chops to provide for our family. Not often did we go without. We definitely weren't the 'go to Disneyland once a year' kind of family, but my mom made it possible for us to always be involved in every single activity we wanted to be involved in. We always had the new school clothes we wanted, bikes to ride and change to buy pockets full of penny candies. Even now as an adult if mom suspects one of her children are struggling she is offering her last $10 to help. This has taught me more than she will ever realize. I now appreciate the things a lot more than I think I would have if I didn't see how hard she had to work to provide. I now know how important it is to work hard for our family. The list goes on..

I strive to be more like my mother in many other ways as well. One of my mom's most admirable traits is the sincerely loving person she is. She is constantly thinking of others before herself. I find those who have been dealt a harder life than most are attracted to my mom. I've watched this my entire life. From the lady with a very young daughter battling cancer whom mom met in the Primary Children's waiting room to the sweet lady who also lost an older daughter to cancer and eventually lost her own battle to ALS. {Just to name a couple} My mom had a passion for these friendships and finding any way possible to help and comfort these friends. People facing such devastating trials seem to find comfort in my loving mom. There is no doubt it's because they too can feel her sincerity radiating in her ways.

I too find this comfort in my mom, and how lucky am I to be able to call her just that? Mom. We truly have an incredible relationship. Closer than any friend, more loving than any mother/daughter relationship. Even if I wasn't able to call her mom, I know we would have still come together as best friends.

If you're reading this mom, I hope you always remember just how much I love and admire you. Thanks for being my rock and never once judging me or turning your back. I can't imagine a life without you. Your love is something I promise to never take for granted. Love you most. {And i'm sorry for being a shit head when I was younger}