Sunday, May 10, 2009

For Mama Donna


Dear Mom,

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope I've never made you feel unappreciated, but I have definitely come to appreciate you more since I joined your team a year-and-a-half ago.  A few weeks ago when us girls began to think of what to give you for M-Day, Rebecca suggested buying a journal and each writing something for you.  Even though we ended up doing something else for your official present, Rebecca's idea stirred me.  
  • I don't think I've told you how much I admire your confidence in and comfort with who you are.  It's quiet enough that you don't come across as arrogant, but sure enough that I feel safer when I'm around you. 
  • Thanks for not only letting us be messy, dirty little kids, but for getting messy with us.  I don't ever remember being fussed at for getting my clothes muddy, filling your Tupperware containers with crawfish from the ditch, or for using your flower beds as imaginary fortresses.
  • I'm grateful for all the ways you have affirmed your love for me - from handwritten napkin notes in my school lunch boxes to the text messages I receive today.
  • Owen will have homemade birthday cakes with over-the-top decorations.  He'll go on adventures in the woods looking for critters and pine knots.  He'll be wakened in the middle of the night (at least once) to watch a meteor shower.  Just like you did for me.
  • Finally, this list of accolades would not be complete without mention of your skill for calling things home.  For us kids it was the whistle that could pierce an eardrum.  For the cats, the auctioneer-like "heeeere kitty-kitty-kitty-kiiiiitttaaaaaay!!!"  And no stranger sound was ever heard coming from our backdoor than when you started calling peacocks. Gotta love your enthusiasm.  Ahhh-EEEEEE-Yahhh!  
One. Four. Three.
Shelley

6 comments:

Rebecca Davenport said...

ya makin me cry... LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Grandma DD said...

Wow! You outdid yourself. That was beautiful. I love you girls so much. I had fun with you girls because I was and still am a kid at heart. Guess who I learned that from? Another big kid -- ED. So the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I love watching YOU be a mommy. It's beautiful. Love to all!! Momma DD

PS You have got to do something with your talent for writing! Let's see a best seller out of you!!

Kari Anne said...

You made me cry reading this to your mom. Too sweet!

MindyLou said...

Wow! What an awesome tribute to your wonderful Momma! She played such a positive role in my life growing up and I am grateful for those memories. Thanks for reminding me to cherish the little things. This weekend, my kids can get as dirty as they want and I won't get mad...

vivi said...

So, let me add to your tribute and say that not only is she a great mother to you girls, but I wonderful mentor, role model, educator, comedian, and confidante. I can vouch for those things.

Your tribute is so eloquent.

Coach said...

Well, I will be the first to admit I don't know where any of us would be without your mother. She was a delightful daughter for Papa, a magnificent mother for all three of her girls and a wonderful wife for me. Now I am the one who gets to write her notes and poems; send her flowers once a month and still take her on a date once a week even though we have been married 37years this May 26. I knew she was special before she even knew who I was. Nobody could have said it better than you did Shelley. Maybe one day Owen will have some of the same ability to write as you do and you will receive a note just as heart-felt. Grandpa Coach