mother's week: day 3 - a word about my mother

My mom is practical. And faith-full. I think this must have been what got her through all those years of moving while my dad was in the Air Force. Whenever you ask "how did you do it?", she answers, "There was nothing else to do. I just did because that was life."

And that is how she is with everything. I know that there were several years while I was growing up that my parents struggled financially. But my mom never complained about anything. She never talked about how she couldn't buy new clothes or furniture or whatever else or that they didn't have money for Christmas. She just dealt with whatever came. She still does. I'm sure she has her worries, but it doesn't really show. She goes along, doing her duties: to the church, to her job, and mostly to her children.

I didn't think much about it until recently, but I'm really grateful for this example. Being taught by this example I have learned to be frugal. I have learned to deal with challenges with faith. I have learned that complaining doesn't really help anything. These lessons have made life easier.

The other day I called and asked how to get a certain 4 year old to clean up her room and to not empty her drawer every day (onto her floor) when looking for clothes to wear. "Do those things with her," she answered. Such an obvious, practical solution. And you know what? It worked.

So, thanks, Mom.