For mom with love

April 7 is Mom’s birthday. As we are planning to celebrate this coming weekend, she is heavily on my mind. I have mentioned my mother in this column before, but I want to mention her again. My mom is a beautiful, smart lady. She helps me come up with ideas whether it be for this column or designing a cake. She is also quick to offer to help if I need it. She is good to listen and will offer advice if needed. She is a fount of medical knowledge for which I am forever grateful. She is a woman of faith and has a lovely soul. She was chauffeur and nursemaid and teacher and so much more. We used to get up early for the holidays to put my hair up in crazy shapes and she never complained about doing it. From the way she lost her parents and brother and losing her son and now her husband, the fact that Mom gets out of bed every day is an awe-inspiring testament to her inner strength.

But she is so much more than what can be easily described. How do you explain the pure love of a mother? She has been there to hold and comfort me my entire life. Mom baked the cakes growing up and always tried to give us what we asked for, no matter how off the wall it was. We had rules and structure, but it taught us right from wrong. We also had a lot of freedom to make our own mistakes. We were allowed to fall. It gave us character. We were allowed to fail in some things. It made us stronger. We explored and let our creativity run wild. It made us free thinking. Mom was the guiding light showing us the way, but letting us choose our own paths to get there. I am the woman today because of the woman she was when I was growing up. She helped mold me without forcing me into anything.

Even as an adult, my mom has been there for me. She can’t do as much as we used to do together, but she still does what she can. I write my column today to say thanks to that beautiful lady. Thank you Mom for being there, for holding my hand, for letting me cry on your shoulder during the dark times. Thank you for the comfort when I was scared. Thank you for the boundaries and the freedoms. Thank you for encouraging me to keep reaching for the stars. Thank you for the beef stew I love and for passing down old family recipes and showing me how to make homemade bread. I treasure those memories of us. Thank you for the love you showed me. Thank you for these things and so much more. I love you so much.

I remember cooking once. Mom and I were in the kitchen together and she looked at me and said she knew I was going make a great wife and mother someday. She told me my caring nature and tender heart were great qualities and would serve me well later in life. It meant a lot to me coming from her. I think this moment is where some of my passion for baking comes from. Mom is a big fan of chicken so I am thought I would share some easy chicken recipes. Salads are a favorite of hers and she loves fruits. Whatever you choose to make this weekend, do it in honor of your mother. Share the meal with her or just cook it for her. Let her truly take the day off, but don’t leave the mess for her to clean up the next day either. Meet me in the kitchen this weekend and join me in celebrating Mom.