(March 23, 2012)
This is a tribute to the mothers I know who have greatly influenced my life.
I have started this early so I can hopefully include and represent all these women well.
I can not wait to see how many variations and additions this post will go through, but I know it is worth it.
So here's to the amazing mothers-
I will start with my amazing mother, Terrie Cash. She has been a huge role model in my life for as long as I can remember. She has literally been my best friend (I've had to share her with my dad. What's up with that? :p) She has taught me ever since I was born what it means to be a woman of God (patience, care, understanding, wisdom, etc.). She taught me how to treat people. She taught me how a woman can be a leader without always being in charge. She taught me patience (this wasn't just by example, sometimes she required it). My mom taught me what it is to not give up. What it looks like to overcome. She engrained in me that I should be who I am and not try to impress others. Without her I would not be who I am today. I am confident in myself, but if she had not shown me what that looks like I would be a wreck.
But she has also brought many women in to my life that have influenced me greatly.
But she has also brought many women in to my life that have influenced me greatly.
I have to talk about my Grandmother, Frances Walding. My Mom's mom. She is strong. I have heard about some of the situations she has been through and how she carried her family through more than rough times. I have admired her for as long as I can remember. She has great strength and dignity. Many of the things she taught my Mom, my Mom has taught me. Much of who I am is devoted to her to. She greatly influenced me.
My Grandma, Connie Cash, has shown me how important it is to laugh. Whenever I am around her I know I am in for a good laugh. Laughter can make a horrible day brighten up to more than just bearable. She also stressed the importance of family. She continues to teach me to appreciate my family, because they will not always be around. Enjoy the time now, because time is something we can't get back. But she also taught me to never grow up and to continue to dream. Almost 70 years old, she still would jump on the back of a motorcycle. She wants to pack up into an RV and travel. I hope I keep my youth like that when I get old.
My Grandma, Connie Cash, has shown me how important it is to laugh. Whenever I am around her I know I am in for a good laugh. Laughter can make a horrible day brighten up to more than just bearable. She also stressed the importance of family. She continues to teach me to appreciate my family, because they will not always be around. Enjoy the time now, because time is something we can't get back. But she also taught me to never grow up and to continue to dream. Almost 70 years old, she still would jump on the back of a motorcycle. She wants to pack up into an RV and travel. I hope I keep my youth like that when I get old.
Where to go now, is hard. The order is not important and I know I will be adding to this so ignore the order. These women all have had a great impact on my life.
I'll go to my Mom's best friend, Michelle Mackall. This woman is amazing. I have been able to see a great friendship between her and my mom. She has set a standard for what I look for in a best friend. It has not been achieved yet so that will let you know the caliber of this woman. She is a great mother to her four children. I enjoy being around her and her family. She does not do anything half-heartedly. She impacts her community. I feel that if anything unfortunate were to happen to my mom she would step in immediately. I feel that she cares for me almost like one of her own kids.
Jodi Aiken has shown me what it is to follow one's dreams.
She and I will be graduating together in five days from college (well, we already graduated now). She is a few
years older than myself, but she still wanted to get a college degree so she
went and got it and did a fantastic job. She is a full-time mom, wife, business owner, and more
I don’t know about. But she accomplished her goal and her dream. I have always said I want to continue learning even after I am finished with school; now, after knowing her, I have no excuse to not keep my word. I have shied away from doing something because I might look silly trying to learn at "such an old age". I have enjoyed so much since throwing away that silly notion! Mrs. Aiken has changed that for me.
Dusti Ramos has shown me what it means to be a woman of God when times are tough. I have prayed for years that God would send me a woman who I could look up to. Not that there has not been many admirable women in my life (as you will see as I go on), but I prayed for some connection. God answered my prayer through Aunt Dusti. I wish she never had to go through this time, but I have no words to describe her patience, calmness, joy, and peace when most people would be losing their minds and beyond depressed. She has been an example for so many people and I beyond admire her for such faith. She continues to astonish me with the integrity she possesses and I hope one day to be of the same caliber of a woman of God.
Brandy Painter, what to say. First, since I have not known her for a long time she will most likely be wondering what in the world I am going to write about her (and I am enjoying the anticipation). She has shown me what it is to be a young woman of God. She is so sweet and calm, extremely selfless. She is not bound by what people make her out to be. I love her quiet confidence. When most young adults are walking away from church, she stayed. She is continuing to strengthen her relationship with God. I enjoy all the conversations I have with her. I know that she is going to be a great mother!
Karen Thrower has energy and patience beyond belief! I know she has to rely on God for the energy to do so much. She ministers to middle school girls, youth on Wednesday nights, handles money for the church, mentors children during the week (see all these kids = lots of patience and she has three boys of her own), works, great mother and wife, and most likely more that I do not remember. With all of this, she stays focused and ready to help out anybody who needs it. I was honored to be a guest in her home for the weekend and I felt right at home. She is such an instrument of God and someone I can look to when I get tired. If she relies on God for energy and patience, so can I.
Margi Willis is awesome. I have no idea how she ever kept her schedule straight. Involved in practically everything at church (at least it looked like that ;p). She let me be involved with her kids life each week and it was a blessing. She raised her kids to be dreamers and each week they retaught me how to dream. I miss making obstacle courses, building forts and attacking legos, nerf gun wars, cooking, messy games in the kitchen (it didn't taste good either), and going to the park and making up games. She was a mom I admired because she did not let the little things bother her. Messes were messes and happy kids were important. I hope that I can remember all the things I saw in her when I have kids.
Pam Mroz (hehe)! The biggest thing I learned from her and I think it will be especially important once I leave home is- you do not need drinks, drugs, or sex to have a good time. Just get a couple of fun people together who are willing to make a fools of themselves. She has stressed that so much, but she has proven it over and over. I always have fun around her and her family. She also showed what is like to come out of one's comfort zone. Learning does not stop after college. You are never to old to continue expanding yourself. I have watched her take over organizing events and doing a wonderful job at it. When I first met her, I don't even know if she would even have laughed in your face had you told her all she would do. She has allowed God to use her outside her comfort zone and I admire her for that.
All these women are great. I am WAY better off knowing them. But if it wasn't for my mom I would not know them. So even though I talked about them and things they taught me, I owe a lot of it to my mother. She knew how to protect me. She surrounded her self with women that I could look up to. That in itself is something worth learning.
I want to wish them all a Happy Mother's Day. Especially my mom- Thank you for being an awesome mom. Surrounding yourself with these women not only impacted you; I benefitted as well. This whole post is dedicated to you because this is a part of you legacy.
Dusti Ramos has shown me what it means to be a woman of God when times are tough. I have prayed for years that God would send me a woman who I could look up to. Not that there has not been many admirable women in my life (as you will see as I go on), but I prayed for some connection. God answered my prayer through Aunt Dusti. I wish she never had to go through this time, but I have no words to describe her patience, calmness, joy, and peace when most people would be losing their minds and beyond depressed. She has been an example for so many people and I beyond admire her for such faith. She continues to astonish me with the integrity she possesses and I hope one day to be of the same caliber of a woman of God.
Brandy Painter, what to say. First, since I have not known her for a long time she will most likely be wondering what in the world I am going to write about her (and I am enjoying the anticipation). She has shown me what it is to be a young woman of God. She is so sweet and calm, extremely selfless. She is not bound by what people make her out to be. I love her quiet confidence. When most young adults are walking away from church, she stayed. She is continuing to strengthen her relationship with God. I enjoy all the conversations I have with her. I know that she is going to be a great mother!
Karen Thrower has energy and patience beyond belief! I know she has to rely on God for the energy to do so much. She ministers to middle school girls, youth on Wednesday nights, handles money for the church, mentors children during the week (see all these kids = lots of patience and she has three boys of her own), works, great mother and wife, and most likely more that I do not remember. With all of this, she stays focused and ready to help out anybody who needs it. I was honored to be a guest in her home for the weekend and I felt right at home. She is such an instrument of God and someone I can look to when I get tired. If she relies on God for energy and patience, so can I.
Margi Willis is awesome. I have no idea how she ever kept her schedule straight. Involved in practically everything at church (at least it looked like that ;p). She let me be involved with her kids life each week and it was a blessing. She raised her kids to be dreamers and each week they retaught me how to dream. I miss making obstacle courses, building forts and attacking legos, nerf gun wars, cooking, messy games in the kitchen (it didn't taste good either), and going to the park and making up games. She was a mom I admired because she did not let the little things bother her. Messes were messes and happy kids were important. I hope that I can remember all the things I saw in her when I have kids.
Pam Mroz (hehe)! The biggest thing I learned from her and I think it will be especially important once I leave home is- you do not need drinks, drugs, or sex to have a good time. Just get a couple of fun people together who are willing to make a fools of themselves. She has stressed that so much, but she has proven it over and over. I always have fun around her and her family. She also showed what is like to come out of one's comfort zone. Learning does not stop after college. You are never to old to continue expanding yourself. I have watched her take over organizing events and doing a wonderful job at it. When I first met her, I don't even know if she would even have laughed in your face had you told her all she would do. She has allowed God to use her outside her comfort zone and I admire her for that.
All these women are great. I am WAY better off knowing them. But if it wasn't for my mom I would not know them. So even though I talked about them and things they taught me, I owe a lot of it to my mother. She knew how to protect me. She surrounded her self with women that I could look up to. That in itself is something worth learning.
I want to wish them all a Happy Mother's Day. Especially my mom- Thank you for being an awesome mom. Surrounding yourself with these women not only impacted you; I benefitted as well. This whole post is dedicated to you because this is a part of you legacy.
"Her children will rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." -Proverbs 31: 28-29
