I Call Mine “Mom”

I recently had the pleasure of celebrating my Mom’s 90 birthday! I feel so blessed to still have my Mom.

The female parent has been called by different names. There is Mother, Mama, Mommy, Mum, and what I call mine, Mom. I’m not sure why I settled on “Mom”, but it just became what I called her. I guess it is like when a new grandchild is born, grandparents have this idea of what they want to be called, but then a name comes out those sweet mouths, and that becomes what you are known as from then on, and it suddenly becomes perfect!

My Mom is everything a good Mom should be. She was my cheerleader, my mentor, my ride or die, my best friend. She led me to Christ, and prays for me everyday. After my husband passed away, she became also my rock. She does so much more for me than I could ever repay.

In high school, my Mom was a majorette. I can remember watching her twirl the baton even when I was a little girl. Neighborhood girls wanted to learn how to twirl, so she taught them.

My Mom always like to dance, and she would hear music, and even in church, she was at the very least, toe tapping to the beat. She and my Dad could jitterbug all over the dance floor. I took tap dancing lessons as a young girl, but I was much older and well into later stages of adulthood before I decided I really liked dancing.

Mom had a beautiful soprano voice and sang many a solo in church. Her voice would float out over the congregation and everyone was listening to her angelic voice. She doesn’t sing solos anymore. Sinus problems and just aging has changed her voice. She still sings, but not solos any more. People always said I was her Mini Me, as we look alike, share a sense of humor, and love our families deeply. But, I don’t have her beautiful voice. God didn’t pass that gene on to me. I was the drama student instead.

My Mom became Mimi when the grandkids came along. Even the friends of those grandchildren always called her Mimi, even today. That’s who she is.

No one knows when it will be our time to pass from this earth, and I’m not sure I would want that kind of advanced notice. I just know we all have a time to go. I hope my Mom lives to be 100, but because we don’t know, I strive to enjoy every moment I get to share with her. We talk every day, and most days we are together. We run errands, go out for lunch, shop, or just get out. I’ll be there for her as long as the good Lord allows her to be here.

For those of you reading this who have already lost your Mom, I’m sorry for your loss. For those like me who still have our Mom, cherish every moment. Make memories to last a lifetime. If they tell the same story more than once, listen anyway. Most importantly, always tell her how much you love her, everyday!