Mom, today is Mother's Day! A short letter can't begin to capture how thankful I am that you are my mom, but I do want to take a few moments to let you know how much you are loved today and every day!
If I had to pick one word to describe you, it would be "strong." You have been through a LOT throughout the years, and yet you have never given up on your family and your hopes and dreams! Life hasn't ever been easy, but you have always faced it with a calm certainty, determination, and faith. You went to college at 16 with honors and pursued your culinary degree, which you received with flying colors! When you met Dad, you willingly set aside the prospect of a flashy culinary career in order to begin your family. You worked tirelessly as you became a mom of nine kids, and you have held onto your dreams and passions by sharing them with each of us. Throughout the years you introduced us to the joys of cooking and trying your incredible culinary creations. You have shared with us your talent for writing through our family blog. Most recently, you have begun a flourishing family business, whipping up batch after batch of mouthwatering granola. Your job is the hardest I could possibly imagine, but you love it and fully embrace the laundry mountains, heaps of diapers, piles of dishes, and sticky kitchen tables with grace and an unbelievable amount of patience!
You always put your family first, but somehow you have managed to find the time to train for and run in two marathons! You have shared your passion for running with the rest of us, and some of my favorite memories with you in high school were our weekly track runs with the Granite State Racing team. There's seldom an Alabama morning you won't be found out on the road, weaving through our crazy construction and dodging armadillos! You have shared your running journey with us and described your first marathon in this way: "I ran with all of my heart and crossed the finish line to be greeted in the rain by everyone who loves me most - my mom and dad who can't imagine why I would run so much but support me anyway, the beautiful children who drove me crazy enough to pursue this dream and cheered the loudest when I succeeded, and my loving, attentive husband who gave me the gift of my first marathon." Watching you cross that finish line was yet another memory of your strength and determination that I will always cherish!
One of our greatest blessings has been growing up with you as both our mother and teacher! You have poured yourself into our education and have so faithfully taught each of us day in and day out. Whether we have been tracing our letters in pudding, classifying sentences, or solving complicated algebraic equations, you have always been right there by our side, motivating us to succeed! I couldn't have possibly made it into nursing school without your love and faithful encouragement. I still miss our daily Omnibus lessons and discussions, and I realize more and more every day how rich my school years were! You were my first teacher, and you will always be the one I go to when I feel completely overwhelmed by enormous study guides, essays, or deadlines.
Through the years and no matter what, you have loved me unreservedly. You are the best role model I could possibly ask for and continue to inspire me each and every day. I have no idea how you possibly do all that you do, but today I just want to say thank you...for everything you do and all that you are to so many people. You have impacted each of us in so many ways, and I could not be more proud to call you my mother. I hope today is filled with joy and gives you a little taste of how much we love you and how rich our lives are because you are in them. I love you so, so very much, Mom! Happy, happy Mother's Day!
Forever your little girl,
Siobhan
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