Papa may have been a Rollin' Stone, but Mama was our ROCK!

I see on Facebook that everyone is changing their profile picture to one of their father in honor of Fathers Day. I found myself following suit. I posted one of my favorite pictures of my dad holding hands with Jake and walking to the lake. Jake was about 2 1/2 or 3, so this was not long before I lost my dad. He & Jake had been sitting on these 2 tree stumps on either side of the path that leads to the lake. As I came out of the cabin, I could see them sitting and talking. About what, I have no idea. After a few minutes, they hopped up & continued their walk to the dock. I love the fact that Jake knew my dad. He was my hero for as long as I can remember, but my how things can change! I always thought that my daddy was the strong one. The rock of our family. Maybe....maybe not.

I watch my mother. Her kindness to others, her way of looking at the bright side even through a really crappy window. Eight years ago she walked into a "Chemo-Lounge" with a really bad prognosis. She defied the odds then & is still doing so today. As each year passes, her doctor is amazed! He remarks that he has no medical explanation for her still being here. She pops back with "Maybe you should leave your Jewish Temple & come on over to my Baptist church & learn to pray!" I do believe that prayer, faith and a great outlook has taken her this far. She walks into chemo every 21 days for a 3 day stint and she inspires people! She actually looks forward to chemo. It is like going to a party for her! They call her "Ms. Sunshine!" She bakes a cake for you & takes flowers to celebrate your last day of chemo, she throws birthday parties & showers there. These women have all become friends. Her family. Some have passed on to a pain free life with no chemo & a head full of hair, while others are still here fighting. 

With a Bandanna tied on her head today and feeling like crap, we ventured out to Costco. She was in a good bit of pain, but couldn't stay put. We ran into my oldest & dearest friend in the world, Susan. We talked & shopped for a while, then headed out.  Later I got a text from Susan : "I LOVE your Mama!" Yep....so do I! She is amazing. A few minutes later, I get another text from her : "She always has this knack for making people feel good about themselves even when she feels CRAPPY! I want that trait!" Me too Susan...Me too! That being said, I have always prided myself on being a lot like my dad. These days I find myself yearning to be like my mother. I know at times I secretly wish to muzzle her like a pit bull, but she is still amazing! Strong and good hearted, faithful and forgiving, loving and as my friend Tim at Starbucks would say ...FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC!! She is most definitely my hero. My Rock. So when Glen rolls his eyes at me (unintentional I'm sure. Maybe he has a loose socket) & says "You are becoming your mother!" I am pretty sure that is a compliment! She makes a point to let people know how she feels about them. A friend of mine from High School just chatted me on FB & told me about a letter that my mother wrote him in 2003 when he was deployed to Saudi Arabia. Was he our next door neighbor for years? No. Was he her best friends son? No. He was a boy I went to school with. We knew the family. He was a friend. Did I take the time to write him? No. He was MY friend! She is clearly the better person here! Sorry Eli....

Although I adored my Daddy & loved every single thing about him...I step back and look at my mother in amazement. The way she loves her children & grandchildren is unbelievable! I will try to become more like her. More loving, more forgiving, more faithful. Papa may have been a rollin' stone, but Mama is our Rock!l