vicki sue

my mom is pretty amazing.

she is thoughtful and insightful. she really watches people and has a great sense of what they need. especially her own kids. i admit, sometimes i feel like the third wheel when grandma vicki comes around. the kids adore her. she adores them. and i'm chopped liver. but when push comes to shove, my mom would do anything for me, for her kids. not that she wouldn't for her grandkids...she would...she finds SO MUCH joy in her grandkids. but it's her kids she worries about. my sister lis just had her third baby. my mom comes to help take care of the kids, but her concern is for alissa. she worries, she notices. she knows she raised a few competent, strong-willed daughters who have a hard time asking for help, so she helps without being asked. she extends her visit because she can see her help is needed.

my mom worked her tail off while she was here. she came to stay with me the night before she left because we live close to the airport (and because joshua was very envious of all that time grandma spent at his cousins.) she was exhausted. normally she'll stay up late into the night laughing, playing games, or usually just talking with me. or with josh. a couple of nights i'd have to study, and i'd get home at 1230 and there they'd be, my mom and josh, sitting on the couch. talking away. i'm still hearing about some of the things they talked about those late nights. but tonight she tried to stay up for a little while, but we could tell she was completely worn out. her eyes were tired. her voice was tired. there's just no one like a mom to be there. to love you. to know what you need, and to do it even when they need a break too.

now, this was for my sister. but it means a lot to me because
1) alissa's my sister and i worry about her too
2) it could have been me she was doing it for. it has been me before.

there's so much more to my mom...i could go on and on...but you get the point. i saw this picture of her and i from this last visit. (joshua actually took this picture--nice work bud!) doesn't my mom look happy? she is happy. she's fun to be around. she's kind and silly. and she always tell me she thinks i'm doing alright, that i'm a good mom, that i'm doing a great job of balancing my full load. may sound simple, but it's the most wonderful thing to hear when these are the things you want and the things you work so hard at and the things you worry about. and they're things you don't hear too often. i feel greedy when i do hear them because i savor it so much. plus i know my mom's honest. she notices things. i love her.