Mom

A million billion years ago, before the earth crust had cooled, a wonderful thing happened.  Pamela (my mom) was born.  Yes, that makes her really old, but she looks good for her age.  Not a wrinkle or a gray hair to be seen.  Mostly because of botox and hair dye, but she looks great.  Surprisingly, my mom has been around for my whole life.  She had the brilliant idea to put me in a Santa suit when I came home from the hospital, but other than that she has amazing ideas. 
I'm the least sentimental person in the world so I don't usually make big speeches about how great people are but today seems like a good day to break that rule. 
Since we don't get to chose our families you just kind of hope for the best.  I got the best.  My mom always took care of us, made us be on time for everything.  Actually, she really made us be 30 minutes early.  She walked us to the school bus every morning, but that was also to make sure we got on the school bus.  Mom let us get dirty, play sports, make messes, and only locked us out of the house when the air conditioning was on and she said that we were letting the cold out.  She used to make a hrrump kind of noise when my dad was umpiring baseball games to let him know that she didn't agree with his decisions.  Then she learned how to be an umpire so she could work the games with him.  Mom took care of the entire neighborhood.  If anything went wrong, they came to my mom.  When the boys across the street got burned on his legs he ran over to my mom for help.  Many times I would hear my parents out on the front porch talking to everyone about everything.  My mom babysat other kids full time when my brother and I were growing up.  Those kids still come back 20 years later to talk and to have a drink of my moms wonderful iced tea.   Mom was always our cheering section, our guidance, our warden, and usually had the best ideas for fun.  That includes loading up the back of the truck with kids from the neighborhood and going to the pool.  Don't panic, that was back when it was still legal to ride in the back of a truck. 
Childhood was a long time ago.  Mom's support has continued through college, living on my own, traveling, and finally living on a ship in Africa.  We don't always agree.  I'm pretty sure it is because we are identical and think alike, but don't want to admit it.  When I grow up (mom is laughing her ass off at that thought) I want to be just like my mom.  To be adored by my friends, family, and random strangers.  Yes, did I forget to mention the fact that she likes to talk to random strangers?  It still embarrasses me, but dont' tell my mom that when she isn't around I do it too!  Every day.  Every single day (even when I don't want to admit it) I'm glad that I have the mom I have.  Thankful is a better word.  So Happy Birthday Mom!  I love you!